Fiverr's Mati Yahav argues that we're all at the same starting point with AI, but only some will use it to further their careers.
As the world of work and business rapidly evolves due to advances in AI technology, we must redefine our roles to stay relevant. 18 months ago, when AI became widely available, we were at the beginning of a transformative era. Opinions were divided, with some seeing AI as a challenge and others, like me, seeing it as an exciting opportunity.
I would like to tell you why I fall into the latter group, and why this is just the latest in a series of technological revolutions that we should embrace rather than fear.
A role that no longer exists
When I was a teenager in the '80s, the cool job everyone wanted was working in a record store. Record stores were magical places filled with vinyl records, and later CDs, where you could find the latest music releases and chat with fascinating people who shared the same passion as you. Back then, the people who worked there were the gatekeepers of culture.
Over the past 20 years, record stores have closed and jobs have changed: today's cool kid might become a social media manager, a role that didn't exist back then and that business leaders could never have imagined necessary.
One of the most popular jobs in the 50s and 60s was that of a punch card operator. These operators played a vital role in the early days of computing, entering data into mainframe computers using punch cards. Tens of thousands of operators spent a shift keypunching cards. Today, the alternative might be a website builder.
Going back even further, telephone operators were state-of-the-art and played a vital role in manually connecting all telephone calls for decades, beginning in the 1930s. These roles required people who could handle complex technical and stressful situations, much like digital project managers do today.
When millions of jobs are lost
Thinking about companies that no longer exist and jobs that were unthinkable years ago can highlight the major changes that took place at key moments in human history.
One example is the Industrial Revolution, in which millions of people changed jobs. Human (and animal) labor was replaced by machines such as the steam engine. The Industrial Revolution caused the world economy to grow again, increasing production and consumer consumption.
Similarly, the dot-com revolution of the 1990s brought about another major change, creating entirely new job fields almost overnight. New roles such as web developers and digital marketers emerged, completely changing the way we interact with the economy and the world.
We are currently on the brink of an AI revolution. Some of us may find that our roles evolve beyond recognition in the coming years. We must not forget that many jobs that existed in previous generations no longer exist today. It is a natural part of economic evolution that some jobs disappear and new ones emerge.
It gets more dramatic with each cycle
When we look at all of these technological innovations, we see a dramatic acceleration in the pace. Historically, it may have taken decades for a new technology to be adopted, but now it can happen in just a few months. AI adoption and development is exploding at an unprecedented rate, signaling both rapid exploration and dramatic progress.
The current AI revolution is poised to transform countless professions and replace many human jobs, but this change also creates vast new opportunities, especially in freelancing.
Since AI began to take hold, Fiverr's data highlights a fascinating trend: there has been a significant increase in companies seeking freelancers who can bring a human touch to AI-generated content. This trend demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of freelancers, and highlights the enduring demand for that unique human element that AI cannot replicate.
Balancing efficiency and human expertise
Despite concerns that artificial intelligence could replace human jobs and significantly alter traditional roles, the reality is that rather than creating new jobs, AI is changing the nature of work, offering the potential to enable businesses to raise standards in a variety of ways by increasing flexibility and efficiency.
However, businesses need to be aware of how artificial intelligence will impact different industries and adapt accordingly. As you consider how to bring AI or AI experts into your business, keep in mind that AI functions very differently in, for example, the software industry versus the financial industry.
Fiverr's latest data since the rise of AI began highlights a fascinating trend: a significant increase in companies seeking freelancers to bring a human touch to AI-generated content. This trend demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of freelancers, and highlights the continued demand for that unique human element that AI cannot replicate.
The latest UK Workforce Index survey revealed how in-demand and sought-after these skills are in business today, with almost a third of business leaders wanting AI skills in their business. And companies are willing to pay for it: the same survey found that over 80% of UK companies are actively increasing wages for AI skills.
Beyond the Basics of AI
To realize the full benefits of AI, businesses need to go beyond basic adoption and get deeply involved in its capabilities. Use AI output as a starting point and pursue creativity and ingenuity rather than settling for average results. This will allow you to push the boundaries and create new jobs, innovative products, and transformative ways of working. Adapting in the AI era requires creativity and analytical thinking, curiosity, resilience, and agility.
Nowadays, adapting to new technologies and market trends is essential, and AI tools accelerate this process.
Matti Yahav is the CMO of Fiverr
Featured image courtesy of iStockPhoto.com Eva Katalin
