AI Job Posts See 17% Growth Amid Fear of Automation

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked a surge in job applications for roles that involve this cutting-edge technology. According to recent research by LinkedIn, job listings that mentioned AI or Generative AI experienced a 17% hike in applications over the last two years compared to those that didn’t. This trend underscores a shift in the job market as professionals seek to future-proof their careers amidst the growing influence of AI.

Erin Scruggs, LinkedIn’s Vice President of Global Talent Acquisition, believes that job seekers are demonstrating their desire to be at the forefront of opportunities in the AI field. This is why she encourages companies to outline their AI strategies in their job advertisements. Even if the role doesn’t directly involve AI, divulging the company’s AI roadmap could be a deciding factor for top talent. Scruggs considers it almost a necessity for companies to share at least the basics of their AI plans to remain competitive.

This trend isn’t confined to English-speaking markets. LinkedIn’s study was based on data from job ads written in a wide range of languages, including Spanish, French, Japanese, Dutch, Italian, German, Portuguese, Turkish, and Chinese. This global inclination towards AI-related jobs mirrors the increasing concerns about automation replacing human jobs.

Last week, Tesla owner Elon Musk warned at the U.K. AI Safety Summit that AI could eventually make human employment redundant. Goldman Sachs has also predicted that AI could replace up to 300 million full-time jobs worldwide in the near future. IBM CEO Arvind Krishna agreed that repetitive white-collar jobs would be automated first but stressed that this doesn’t necessarily mean job losses for humans. He argued that increased productivity doesn’t equate to job displacement, citing the creation of new roles following the advent of the internet.

The latest AI news & AI tools suggest that even those without technical skills can build valuable and innovative applications in AI. Yishan Wong, former CEO of Reddit, advised workers to consider transitioning into the AI industry as a way to safeguard their careers. Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang also shared the sentiment that AI could generate jobs. However, he warned that while AI might not directly replace human jobs, it could empower other humans to outperform their peers.

IBM’s Chief Commercial Officer Rob Thomas emphasized this point during a press conference, stating, “AI may not replace managers, but the managers that use AI will replace the managers that do not.” This sentiment was echoed by economist Richard Baldwin at the 2023 World Economic Forum’s Growth Summit, who asserted, “AI won’t take your job. It’s somebody using AI that will take your job.”

In this era of AI images generators and AI text generators, it’s clear that the landscape of work is changing. As AI continues to evolve and permeate various industries, professionals are recognizing the need to adapt and embrace this technology. The surge in applications for AI-related jobs is a testament to this shift, signaling a new chapter in the world of work where AI is no longer just an optional skill but a critical tool for career advancement.