The Year Ahead: Why AI Will Not Take Your Job Soon

As technology continues to evolve, these technologies will also play an increasingly important role in shaping the way organizations operate and the way work is done. For example, the increasing rollout of AI for large-scale use like ChatGPT which can perform basic tasks to complicated ones like writing code has widely been projected that it will make some people lose their jobs.

However, at a panel discussion at The Year Ahead Forum, IT experts claimed that AI is still far from taking your job.  The panel was moderated by Francis Mwangi, Group Head, IT Security and Infrastructure, Platcorp Holdings Ltd. The panellists were Stephen Gitahi, Head of IoT, iLabAfrica, Dr Bright Gameli, Head of Cybersecurity, MARA and Erick Jackson, Co-Founder and CEO, Hisa App.

Dr Gameli opined that AI will make engineers more efficient in their everyday work. However, he argued that “AI is still far from completely taking over jobs because human intervention is still an important factor in the processes”. Before using these new technologies, Gameli advised companies to do security risks to avoid hackers getting access to their critical online infrastructure.

Jackson noted that some jobs may be at risk with the adoption of the new technologies, but AI could unlock productivity among techies.  Maiyo advised businesses to incorporate new technologies in their operations because it will improve their bottom line such as making their supply chains more efficient or helping them reduce their carbon emissions.

However, regulation stands in the way of organisations adopting these new technologies into their operations. To fasten and make the process easier, the panellists advised organizations to push for approval through lobby groups or recognised institutions such as universities. The panellists advised governments to be forward-looking and not frustrate organisations seeking to use new technologies to improve their processes.