(Newswire.net — June 22, 2017) — There’s no doubt machines are getting better at doing our jobs for us. In the not so distant future, most jobs could be left redundant by this expanding wave of automation. Writers, data analysts, lawyers, and even artists could be faced with competition from algorithms that work constantly and improve exponentially.
According to researchers from the University of Oxford’s Future of Humanity Institute, the AI Impacts project and the Machine Intelligence Research Institute, algorithms could write a New York Times Bestseller in the next three decades and all labor can be fully automated within the century.
While the future may seem dystopian for million of workers, there’s a chance people could fight back if they’re given appropriate skills training. Skills workshops, certificate courses and online tutorials could help workers acquire skills needed in this shifting economy.
Here’s what workers can do to stave off redundancy:
Higher education
It’s never too late to re-enter formal education. Despite the cost, higher education and college degrees still offer a tremendous return on investment. College courses tend to keep up with the latest news in the industry, which means workers can acquire high-level skills with a potential market, regardless of automation.
Vocational Training
Vocational and informal training sessions can help full-time workers sharpen their skills and build new ones without leaving their employer. Just a few hours every week can help workers upgrade their skills and keep up with the demands of the industry. Specialized certificate courses and recognized formal credentials are likely to keep workers one step ahead on the job ladder.
Apprenticeships
There’s a need to rethink apprenticeships for the 21st century. If the system is redesigned to help both workers and the private sector, apprenticeships can unlock significant value in the labor market. On-going schemes can help fill the gaps left behind by automation and algorithms.
Self Learning
Regardless of the industry, there’s probably a lot workers can learn by themselves. Online courses, video tutorials, industry journals, and training manuals can help workers pick up skills on their own time. Self learning allows people to learn at their own pace and gives them the freedom to structure their own courses.
The threat of automation is clear and imminent. Artificial intelligence is quickly gaining ground on traditional work and soon many jobs could disappear. Nearly half of all jobs in the U.S. could be lost to robots in the coming decades. While some experts suggest taxing robots to sustain standards of living, a better solution is to invest in education and training.
Skills training and redesigned apprenticeships could keep workers one step ahead of the oncoming wave of automation. With constant upgrades and ongoing training, workers can learn to fill the gaps and increase their value on the market.