How Shortage of Labor Will Create More AI & Automation Careers

Automation and artificial intelligence technology are beginning to make seismic shifts in the way that things are done in today’s world. From making certain processes more streamlined to replacing humans with machinery, these forms of technology are ushering in a new age of productivity, optimization, and efficiency.

As of late, the labor shortage has caused many businesses to deal with several challenges. Though this may seem like a bad thing, the labor shortage will likely act as an impetus for many organizations to begin investing in automation and artificial intelligence technology in order to reach the same levels of productivity with fewer employees.

Understanding how automation and artificial intelligence can be a viable solution to the labor shortage problems can provide one with a more nuanced understanding of how our world is evolving.

Changing Perceptions

Before now, a growing attitude of skepticism toward automation and AI technology were beginning to become commonplace. Many individuals felt that these technologies would eventually take away jobs from individuals who needed them, having a detrimental effect on society.

While this makes sense in theory, recent events have uncovered the fact that this may not actually be the case and that automation and AI technology might actually prove to be the savior that many industries are looking for.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit businesses and employees hard. With many organizations being forced to temporarily cease their operations as a result of the pandemic, many employees were left without steady jobs. It seemed as if everything would return to normal once organizations reopened for business, however, this hasn’t been the case.

Organizations in a variety of industries have had difficulty replacing employees in a number of roles. Many of these roles revolve around retail and factory work. While this may seem surprising at first glance, the current labor shortage speaks to the values of individuals and presents an accurate representation of their interests in regard to jobs.

It is beginning to become apparent that the vast majority of individuals do not necessarily enjoy working jobs in factories and retail. When forced to take a step back and contemplate their careers, many employees decided not to return to their previous roles for this reason. As such, organizations began to experience the effects of a labor shortage hitting them.

With the onset of the labor shortage and a growing feeling that these job roles are less than ideal, many people are beginning to become more ambivalent to the idea of utilizing automation and artificial intelligence technology to complete these jobs and compensate for the labor shortage.

This shift in public perception paired with the severe effects of the labor shortage is beginning to seem as if it will act as a catalyst for organizations to adopt more automation and AI-powered processes on a large scale.

While this will look different for organizations in different industries, it will likely mean that many of the roles that currently require a human may not exist in the near future.

Roles That Will Increase in Demand

As automation and AI technology take on a more central role in organizations’ day-to-day processes, certain professionals will become more in demand. These professionals are those who have the specialized knowledge and training to build, maintain, install, and repair these innovative forms of technology.

Understanding the automation and artificial intelligence careers that will likely rise in demand in the near future can provide one with insight into the ways that the job market is shifting.

Industrial Engineer

Industrial engineers are professionals tasked with helping organizations make their processes more efficient. This can take many different forms ranging from tweaking production lines to introducing new forms of technology into factories.

As the labor shortage continues to be a difficult obstacle for organizations to overcome, the skillset of industrial engineers will become more valuable.

Industrial engineers have the ability to help organizations find the automation and AI technology that will improve their processes the most, which takes on new importance when there is a shortage of workers.

With the help of these professionals, organizations can potentially cut down the number of employees they need to continue doing business while also increasing the accuracy and efficiency of their processes.

Database Engineer

Database engineers are professionals tasked with developing databases for their organizations. These individuals also maintain these databases and use them to organize data in ways that make it possible for organizations to glean useful insights. As technology has advanced, database engineers have begun to utilize AI technology in more and more ways to make their jobs easier and more efficient.

As AI technology becomes more commonplace for organizations to invest in, database engineers will likely be more sought-after for their ability to help streamline processes and take care of information. As such, it seems like the career of a database engineer is one that will grow and become more valuable in the coming years.

Computer Engineer

Computer engineers are professionals trained in both the field of computer science and electrical engineering. This specialized knowledge
allows computer engineers to create hardware and software that serve various functions.

When it comes to automation and AI technology, these professionals are the ones with the proper skills to create, implement, and maintain these forms of technology.

In order to integrate more automation and AI technology into their processes, organizations will need computer engineers to help them make this happen. This being the case, it is likely that computer engineers will become some of the most valuable professionals to organizations in a variety of industries in the coming years.

Specialized Roles

As automation and AI technology become adopted on a wider scale, new roles will emerge to meet the demands of a growing industry. These new professionals will likely have specialized skill sets that pertain to the specific applications of automation and AI technology in different ways.

In addition, as new forms of technology related to these fields begin to emerge, evolve, and branch off, other new professionals will likely step in to meet the demands of these new fields.

Automation and AI are the Future of Industry

While sentiments around automation and AI technology have been negative in the past, perceptions are beginning to shift. These innovative forms of technology are beginning to offer themselves as solutions to the growing problem of labor shortages and a lack of employee interest in certain roles.

As more organizations begin to invest in, adopt, and integrate more forms of automation and AI technology into their work processes, more beneficial results are likely to materialize.

Regardless of what one’s opinion is, the reality of the situation seems to be that automation and AI technology are beginning to take a more centralized role in today’s evolving world.