A lot has been written about the negative aspects of AI. Rather than focusing negatively on AI's impact on jobs, we should consider the innovative ways individuals will become much more efficient thanks to AI – monotonous tasks will be automated, jobs will become more fulfilling and workers can bring greater value to their employers.
Taking a step back, AI has long been painted as a villain in employment discourse, with fears of mass job displacement dominating headlines. Goldman Sachs has forecast that up to 300 million jobs globally could be affected by AI automation, with 14% of workers already displaced by such technologies. However, these figures often obscure a more nuanced reality. While AI will undoubtedly eliminate some roles, it will also create exciting new opportunities, especially for professionals – known as knowledge workers.
The job evolution
With the rise of AI already changing the employment landscape, knowledge workers who were once thought to be immune to automation are having to rethink their roles to survive. Professionals of every kind depend heavily on their intellectual output, from decision-making skills to strategic thought, all of which can be enhanced by adopting AI tools. The ambition is that when utilised constructively, AI can complement existing roles rather than purely replacing them. By automating tedious, repetitive tasks, AI will free knowledge workers to concentrate on higher-value activities, making them more productive and more valuable.
The key takeaway is simple. Adopt AI, make it work to your advantage – or risk being taken over by your colleagues and competitors who have embraced it.
A glimpse into the future
What will the office of the future look like? How much will AI transform our working lives? To give you a flavour, imagine an office in 2035. AI systems will be managing functions like customer service, data analysis and project management, with tasks performed in seconds. The systems will not just be chatbots or essential automation tools—they will be independent AI Agents that can sense their environment through various inputs and perform tasks from start to finish.
In addition, AI’s ability to interpret ongoing discussions and prior task histories will enable a superior grasp of context, intentions and relationships, which will undoubtedly be a game-changer. This transformative capability will allow businesses to operate with greater efficiency and accuracy, with AI Agents making informed decisions quickly, adapting to new information in real-time and enhancing collaboration by understanding the nuances of human interaction.
The rise of the AI-enhanced worker
To counteract their potential exposure to AI disruption, savvy knowledge workers are already putting key human skills front and centre – from innovative problem-solving and relationship development to strategic planning – with the most creative and impactful ideas highly prized. By honing distinctively human capabilities and emphasising creativity and strategic thought, successful individuals will work with AI to reinvent their roles and the value they bring to an organisation. Even today, individuals who seamlessly integrate AI into their workflows, known as ‘AI-augmented’ workers, are already leveraging tools like Perplexity or Copilot to enhance their productivity and outperform those relying on traditional methods.
Indeed, the major challenge to overcome will be the disparity between those who adapt to AI and those who do not. For instance, job seekers who use AI to refine their resumes or simulate interviews are more likely to secure positions in today’s tech-driven hiring landscape. Similarly, marketers who employ generative AI for content creation can produce campaigns more quickly and effectively than their peers.
New jobs on the horizon
Beyond the fact that some jobs will be replaced by AI and others transformed, it is also true that many new ones will be generated by it – with human skills vital for their success. For example, AI agent managers, specialists in AI-human collaboration, and digital workforce co-ordinators will all be in demand. Chief AI officers will be created, whose task will be to integrate AI into specific business processes, for example, by using AI to optimise HR procedures or increase the marketing team’s productivity.
Enhancing performance at Liontrust!
At Liontrust, the Global Equities team now utilises AI agents—equivalent to five analysts—through specialised AI software. This technology monitors newsflow, company reporting and management calls 24/7, providing the team with timely updates in short, concise and referenced prompts. This empowerment through AI integration is a key factor in the changing job landscape, giving individuals more control over their work and enhancing their performance.
Conclusion: The human advantage
The narrative that "AI is coming for your job" misses the point. It is not about machines replacing humans but about humans using machines to outcompete one another. In this race, those who harness AI effectively will likely be the winners, while those who resist are at risk of being losers. Ultimately, the future of work is not a battle between humans and machines but a test of our ability to adapt and collaborate with technology. The question is no longer whether AI will disrupt jobs—it already is—but whether you will be the one wielding it or watching from the sidelines.
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