AI and your job: Threat or opportunity?

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Artificial intelligence is becoming a bigger part of everyday life, raising questions about what the technology could mean for workers and their jobs.

Some economists believe AI poses a particular threat to entry-level and repetitive work, including call center, data entry and junior copywriting jobs, according to The Wall Street Journal. Those tasks may be easier to automate.

Job growth in some office fields, including accounting, law and finance, has been slow, while tech and media jobs have declined since 2022. Microsoft also offered buyouts to tens of thousands of employees. Those trends do not necessarily mean AI caused the changes.

But AI could also create opportunities. A Bloomberg article points to potential job growth in construction and manufacturing as companies build data centers and produce the chips that power the technology. Some higher-skilled office workers could also benefit if AI helps them become more productive.

The long-term impact on jobs remains unclear, but workers can take steps to prepare. Exploring AI chatbots, writing assistants and other tools may help people find ways to work more efficiently and develop skills that complement the technology.

Local training options are available for people who want to learn more. The University of South Alabama offers a hands-on AI workforce training program. The Alabama Community College System also runs workshops, including the AI Community Caravan, that teach foundational AI skills and scam awareness.

Workers can also consider what skills may be valuable in the years ahead, what problems employers may need help solving and how they can become a trusted resource as technology changes.