AI may not replace humans, but workers who fail to adapt could lose jobs – ALX Enterprise

Edward Akane, Partnerships Manager at ALX Enterprise, shared his thoughts on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the job market during a recent discussion on Joy FM Super Morning Show. Akane clarified that AI is unlikely to completely replace human workers, but those who fail to adapt to new technologies and acquire relevant skills could risk losing their jobs.

According to Akane, the future of work will depend heavily on how well workers combine their existing expertise with emerging AI tools. He emphasized that workers who refuse to adapt to technological changes may become less relevant in the job market. "While AI won't replace humans, humans who fail to adapt may become less relevant," Akane stated.

Akane highlighted the importance of combining domain expertise with creativity when working with AI tools. He stressed that workers must not only know how to use AI but also understand the business context and be able to think creatively. "It’s about the domain expertise, the creativity being matched with these AI tools or AI knowledge that exists," he explained.

He used the example of automated teller machines (ATMs) in the banking sector to illustrate the potential impact of AI on jobs. He explained that the introduction of ATMs reduced the number of customers visiting bank branches and changed the role of bank tellers. "Think about it like the ATM and the teller. Years ago, there were a lot of tellers at the bank. But with the introduction of ATMs, fewer people started going to the bank," Akane said.

He warned that workers who fail to develop additional skills or explore other opportunities within their industries may become increasingly vulnerable to automation. "If you were a teller and you didn't evolve, find opportunities within the banking space or even within the work environment, and just focused on one skill, the ATM machine started to replace you," Akane pointed out.

AKane believes that AI could have a similar effect across various industries, making continuous learning and adaptation increasingly important for workers. "That is what the world of work, when it comes to technology and AI, is going to look like," he said.

ALX Enterprise, according to Akane, is positioning itself to help businesses and individuals identify the necessary skills to remain relevant as technology continues to change the workplace. The organization leverages its market intelligence from working with employers to develop practical training programs. Instead of traditional workshops, ALX Enterprise focuses on solving actual business problems through experiential learning. "It's not just a workshop. We facilitate what we call experientials," Akane emphasized.