Robots are taking over the world, but not in the way science fiction writers imagined.  

Welding robots assemble our cars. ATMs and online banking handle our deposits. And where overworked retail cashiers once asked, “Did you find everything okay?” there now stands self-checkout terminals.  

Automation has long promised to revolutionize blue-collar work, which is repetitive and sometimes dangerous. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) is shaking things up for white-collar workers. Jobs like technical writing, web development, and budget analysis—roles once thought safe from automation—could be at risk.  

Will AI take over your job? Let’s find out.  

An Algorithm for Every Occasion 

Generative AI, such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, DALL-E, and Midjourney, are deep-learning models that mimic human decision-making processes to create new content, including: 

  • Code 
  • Images 
  • Text 
  • Video 
  • Music 

Ask ChatGPT to write a children’s book in the style of Dr. Seuss and the large language model (LLM) will generate whimsical rhymes in seconds. Tell DALL-E to paint a picture of Nosferatu in RuPaul’s Drag Race or Darth Vader ice fishing and that’s exactly what you’ll get.  

The truth is that no one knows how generative AI will affect jobs, only that it will. 

No one can compete with the speed and efficiency of these AI tools, which have come out of (seemingly) nowhere to threaten office jobs. “To be brutally honest, we had a hierarchy of things that technology could do, and we felt comfortable saying things like creative work, professional work, emotional intelligence would be hard for machines to ever do,” said Erik Brynjolfsson, a professor at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI. “Now that’s all been upended.”   

How Will AI Affect Jobs?  

The truth is that no one knows how generative AI will affect jobs, only that it will. A 2023 study conducted by OpenAI, ChatGPT’s parent company, looked at 923 occupations and found that: 

  • LLMs could perform some (at least 10%) of the work performed by 80% of American workers.  
  • About 1 in 5 workers could see at least half of their tasks impacted by generative AI. 
  • Only 4% of jobs were unaffected.  

So, unless you’re a world-class athlete or a skilled tradesperson, your world is about to change.  

“You can replace people, you can augment people, and you can create new opportunities for people. But you do have winners and losers.” 

—Mary Daly, CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco 

What Does This Mean for Workers?  

AI, particularly generative AI, is inherently disruptive. However, technological advancements of this kind have consistently fueled economic and employment growth.  

Some jobs may be lost, but most will benefit from integrating AI technologies. No matter how sophisticated generative AI may be, human expertise remains irreplaceable. There will always be work for people; only now, it will be like everyone has an AI-powered assistant, making it easier to perform advanced tasks and closing the gap between entry-level and experienced workers.  

Worry About Your Rivals 

Chances are AI won’t take over your job: your rivals will. Professionals who are more willing to embrace AI tools will almost certainly gain a competitive edge. “When I think of generative AI—or AI writ large—what I see is an opportunity,” explained Mary Daly, CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. “You can replace people, you can augment people, and you can create new opportunities for people. But you do have winners and losers.” 

Embrace AI Tools  

The future of work remains uncertain, but it will be intensely competitive. If you hope to keep up, your best bet is to embrace AI tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E, which will serve as valuable additions to your repertoire of skills. Only by honing your technical and interpersonal abilities can you accomplish things that neither your competitor nor AI can achieve. 

Explore AI Tools In Our Online Program  

That’s where the online Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing program from The University of Texas Permian Basin comes into play.  

Through our online program, you’ll master both traditional and digital marketing, equipping you with the skills you need to leave the competition behind. Not only will you explore the latest marketing trends, you’ll also learn what it takes to thrive in a competitive landscape increasingly reliant on AI. 

Our online BBA in marketing courses include: 

  • Principles of Marketing: An introduction to marketing concepts. Throughout this course, you’ll be encouraged to use any AI tools at your disposal to complete course assignments. After all, you’ll be using tools like these in your career. 
  • Digital Marketing Analytics: Gain a deep understanding of consumers’ needs, exploring the effectiveness of various digital marketing strategies while learning about AI topics and analytics tools.  
  • Marketing Strategy: Taking a top-down approach to marketing, this course focuses on how businesses operate across borders. Learn to think like a strategy manager, and in the process, learn how companies can integrate AI to remain competitive.  

Join The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online BBA in Marketing program to stay ahead of the curve. Apply today!  

Sources: 
https://www.mckinsey.com/mgi/our-research/generative-ai-and-the-future-of-work-in-america
https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2024/01/15/generative-ai-probably-wont-take-your-job-but-it-will-change-how-you-work/?sh=326dceb8267c