How far away is the future?
I live in the future. For me, the future is now. Not really, but in my mind. Let me explain a bit. I’m always thinking about what’s happening in technology, in business, and life generally. What sparks my obsession over the future? It can be anything from a casual conversation, my Twitter feed or social outcries for justice on matters that were ignored ten years ago. For me, any of these things and more can trigger thoughts about the future. And more now than ever, I have questions about the future of jobs.
Future-focused, present-minded
Most frequently, this fascination comes out when I work with other creators or whenever I consult with people about their ideas. For example, when I help others with their vision, my mind immediately builds a blueprint for what they want now and how to accomplish it, but then my mind keeps going. My mind goes into the future to map and scale their vision further than what they’ve inquired of me. Doing this is all very natural. Being future-focused and present-minded at the same time is who I am. It’s a good thing too. Because I know that as technology progresses, advances and increases so does the rate of change.
Storytime
In the fourth quarter of 2017, I sat in a forum that introduced one of our company’s new executives, and their message pierced me. I left that meeting with one word, transformational and I felt that something monumental was upon the earth. And I’m not hyping this up either. I thought that the impact of what our company was about to undergo would not only affect employees and consumers associated with the brand but the entire world. Why? Keep reading.
During the meeting, a brief mention was given to artificial intelligence and how it was already being tested to identify trends.Artificial intelligence (AI) also known as machine learning, is just that. It’s technology that learns and in a way, develops like a living organism.
I reasoned that if the company was already using this technology, new jobs were about to be created. With that, my next thought was this:
How can the company position team members to transition with the technology changes and what skills, if any, should I adopt that will be transferrable?
Going further, I spoke with a few people about it. Some of which opted to give interest to shortsighted matters, while others said the change wouldn’t happen as quickly as I suggested. But I was confident it would. I was stuck on the fast-approaching longterm impact we were all facing, and I would not let it go. I mean to me everything was visible. Not allowing my burden to fade, I continued to adamantly express the fact that the job market was changing to anyone that would listen. And my search for how to get ahead of the curve and at a bare minimum, at least moving with it, didn’t stop. That was until one person listened.
And now a little over a year later, it’s here. Jobs are being eliminated, but more importantly, new jobs are being created. How do I know? I experienced it first hand. An old role I had is transitioning to complete automation. Meaning, a person like you or myself is no longer needed to do the work because code can do it better. Do I have your attention? Good.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution
Well, it’s here. What is it? It’s the Fourth Industrial Revolution. What is the Fourth Industrial Revolution? It’s rapid economic change marked by technologies like artificial intelligence, augmented reality, quantum computing, 3D printing, the Internet of Things + more.
The global impact of The Fourth Industrial Revolution will be the topic of discussion on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019 as economist Klaus Schwab leads the annually held World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
Where digital, physical, + biological systems meet
Klaus Schwab, the founder of the World Economic Forum, announced “The Fourth Industrial Revolution” in 2016 and subsequently released a book with that same title. The book revealed the technological revolution that’s underway, how it will merge with our physical lives and the ensuing societal changes as a result of its impact on people, industries, and even governments.
The first three industrial revolutions revisited
Now, this type of widespread industrial change has been recorded in history three other times. Per Klaus Schwab:
“The First Industrial Revolution used water and steam power to mechanize production. The Second used electric power to create mass production. The Third used electronics and information technology to automate production. Now a Fourth Industrial Revolution is building on the Third, the digital revolution that has been occurring since the middle of the last century. It is characterized by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres.”
Source: weforum.org
The future of jobs
So, what jobs are trending up for the future? That’s easy to answer — the positions of the future are the jobs that machines can’t do or can’t do well. But I’ll try to be more specific.
According to an
Emotional intelligence will matter more in our fast-approaching future. Professions that support human equity and combat inequality are promising, as Schwab predicted: “inequality represents the greatest societal concern associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
In retail, businesses that appeal to people’s vanities are blooming and will continue to flourish. Think self-care, cosmetics/beauty, grooming + wellness services.
In the future, although it will benefit you, a college degree doesn’t automatically mean job security. Jobs that we’ve previously considered indispensable are not. For example, in the healthcare field, algorithms can diagnose patients, and AI-assisted surgery is here. This demonstrates that jobs of all calibers are changing. For those that are mapping a career path, currently in school, or considering continuing education, choose roles that will complement + not necessarily compete with technology.
What modern careers require
Are you scared? Don’t be — jobs are being created! Plus get this — something else that all of us can enterprise on and that can’t be replaced by technology is creativity. Consultant Megan Doepker writes: Modern careers require creativity, critical thinking, interpersonal skills, writing ability, presentation skills, and negotiation. Did you catch that? Great! Your creativity, among other things, can’t be disrupted by technology — so hope, dream, but above all create!
Dig deeper
Three trends on the future of work
The Fourth Industrial Revolution: what it means, how to respond
How AI is used in healthcare – 5 powerful real-world examples that show the latest advances
5 ways students can graduate ready for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Photo by Hammer & Tusk on Unsplash
1 Comment
Carla Pinto · at
Thank you so much for sharing this information. Very insightful and good food for thought. I was blessed by it!
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