It is no secret that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are revolutionising industries. From healthcare to retail, everyone wants to get their foot in the door and understand and implement AI in any way they can. While many worry that AI could lead to widespread job redundancies, learning to work with and leverage AI tools may give you a competitive edge in the job market.

What is AI and ML?

Artificial intelligence and machine learning go hand in hand but are not the same thing. Machine learning is the method of teaching computers to learn patterns from data and make decisions without being explicitly programmed. It is a subset of artificial intelligence, which encompasses a broader range of technologies designed to mimic human intelligence.

AI-powered industries

In the past decade, there has been a massive rise in the number of industries that regularly use AI tools to aid in efficiency. AI and ML are no longer confined to the tech industry but the medical, finance, manufacturing, and retail industries all leverage AI to improve efficiency, cut down costs and increase productivity. Some of the ways in which AI is currently being used in these industries include AI-powered systems to complete repetitive and data-heavy tasks which frees up humans to do tasks that require more creativity or interpersonal skills. Another common use of AI is for enhancing customer interactions, I’m sure most people have had the very common experience of communicating via ‘live chat’ on a website or application, typically there are automated questions to answer before speaking to a human, however, it is common now for these ‘live chats’ to be with sophisticated chatbots that assist you or guide you to an answer. As mentioned earlier, dealing with large volumes of data is an area in which people choose to implement AI. Businesses often handle vast amounts of data to make informed decisions and uncover market insights. Advances in machine learning offer a powerful alternative to manual analysis, significantly improving efficiency and accuracy.

How AI is changing hiring and job seeking

While AI is changing jobs, it is also changing the process of hiring. Understanding how AI is used in hiring can aid in navigating the ever-changing job market and obtaining success in applications. AI-driven recruitment is becoming more common, with applicant tracking systems implemented to identify keywords or particular formatting in applications during initial applicant screening. Job matching is also AI-powered, skills, goals, and experience all affect what jobs you may be matched with. Therefore, it is important to stay up to date with in-demand skills, especially for the jobs you are interested in. Researching the company and understanding what they look for in an applicant can further improve your chances of a successful application. Though less common, some companies are also now using AI tools to analyse applicant behaviour such as facial expression, tone of voice or responses during interviews or assessments, practicing with tools such as these can improve your performance, and calm your nerves. 

Skills that complement AI advancement

The AI industry is ever-growing and it is important to stay on top of the advancements, particularly when searching for a job as it is disheartening to apply for jobs that may replace humans with AI in the coming years. While this is likely in many situations, there is still a massive gap that AI cannot fill and requires human intuition. Firstly, understanding AI, even at a very basic level, can set you apart. This does not mean learning how to code a machine learning model from scratch but learning simple data analysis skills or basic Python training is all you need to show a fundamental understanding of AI. Critical thinking and problem solving remain human skills that are invaluable, AI may be able to process more data than a human but strengthening these skills is unique to human behaviour. Similarly, emotional intelligence cannot be replaced by AI. Empathy and human connection are important soft skills that are crucial in jobs requiring human connection such as close teamwork and leadership. 

Future-proofing your career

The job landscape is being transformed but new job opportunities are also being created. The key to thriving in the AI era is adaptability, the future may be shaped by AI but human skills will always be in demand. Future-proof your career by staying informed of AI advancements or trends in your field of work, developing a mix of soft skills and technical knowledge, networking where you can in AI-related fields, and taking advantage of the AI-driven job platforms for smarter job searches.