Automation is constant. Basic automation automates simple, rudimentary tasks. But as AI becomes more powerful and versatile, jobs once thought safe for automation may be in danger of disappearing forever.
Kevin Beasley, CIO of ERP software provider VAI, says employers can save time and money by investing in automation, especially IT. “CIOs are now looking for technology stacks that not only improve efficiency through automation, but also allow IT teams to focus on innovative projects that improve business outcomes,” he explains. Meanwhile, many companies are facing a shortage of his IT talent. Automation helps bridge the gap by eliminating routine tasks, allowing IT leaders to focus on existing skilled talent without increasing labor costs.
The question of which IT jobs will be eliminated next by automation is nothing new. Jeremy Kushner, Advisor at IT support firm BACS Consulting Group, said: “We are also automating [network] monitoring and alerting. Machine learning tools and algorithms are now opening new doors by automating predictive network maintenance and fraud detection tasks.
most vulnerable
The IT operations tasks most susceptible to automation are related to routine tasks such as first-time help/service desk calls, data center operations, technical problem-solving specialists, and software testing, according to technology research firm ISG. Partner Ola Chowning said. The biggest benefit of automation, she points out, is quality. “In operations, automation and cognitive will enable the ability to learn from previous similar events, analyze them, and apply the best-predicted actions to resolve the event much more quickly and reliably,” she said. . [technology] Application. “
Chatbots are taking over many assistance/service desks, while AI-driven automation is rapidly reducing the work of help desk agents, Chauning said.Similarly, the expansion of cloud-based infrastructure at the enterprise level in data center operations for monitoring and installation/deployment, and autonomy The use of AI and ML at the platform level, especially in the cloud, poses a threat to many of today’s workforce. “Testers will be able to run much more sophisticated, much faster and more accurate code with both simple automation like RPA and test automation tools powered by AI and ML applied. So we will see a depletion of the job market,” she predicts.
Software developers, especially web development and basic coding professionals, may also start to find their jobs falling victim to automation in the next few years. Diana Mingels, Head of Machine Learning at Kensho Technologies, said: S&P’s AI innovation hub. “Furthermore, recent advances in large-scale language models trained on vast amounts of publicly available code have made it possible to write code based on a description of purpose provided in the form of natural language. she points out GitHub Copilot As an example of such a tool.
Kushner says his company recently used ChatGPT to successfully create and enhance application solution outlines. “Once ChatGPT created the overview and key steps, we asked them to create and export the code, and it worked,” he explains. “This didn’t require an individual with scripting or coding experience. We were able to do this with our non-technical staff.”
on the bright side
The good news about automation is that it tends to open up high-demand job opportunities in related fields, not just automation itself. “For service desk agents and data center operations personnel, proficiency with chatbots and data center automation tools creates excellent migration opportunities,” he says. “In addition to learning what is often a simple drag-and-drop technique, you need knowledge of your current role. Most of the time, no coding is required.”
Chawning observes that automation as a career path itself is expanding. “These automated cognitive techniques continue to spread functionally, so that once a person has mastered a skill in one area, they can easily expand into another, which is a good thing,” she said. I will explain.
come next
Today, automation is primarily aimed at routine tasks. “Within a few years, automation will transform highly skilled professions such as software engineers and data scientists,” he predicts, Mingels.
Ultimately, Mingels says IT professionals are responsible for their own growth and development. “To adapt to a very rapidly changing IT landscape, we need to be aware and prepared to learn and teach others,” she notes.
Mingels believes that every automation decision should be accompanied by a plan that describes how existing jobs will be upskilled or reskilled. She will also prepare young professionals with “the right arsenal of knowledge” for her rapidly evolving IT job market, as well as new educational tracks and strategies to ensure teaching is responsive to change. I feel it is necessary.
Mingels advises IT professionals to face automation head-on. “Ask yourself what you can contribute beyond your current responsibilities.”
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