Big tech forms a group to investigate the effects of AI on tech jobs

tech.hindustantimes.com:

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly prevalent in the tech industry, questions about its impact on jobs and the economy are gaining traction. Big Tech companies like Google and Microsoft, major players in AI development, are now collaborating to study the potential effects of AI on technology-related employment.

Led by Cisco, this consortium also includes industry giants such as IBM, Intel, SAP, and Accenture. Additionally, prominent labor unions like the AFL-CIO and the CWA are serving as advisors to the group. With the rise of generative AI technologies like chatbots and image generators, concerns about AI displacing human jobs have intensified, reported washingtonpost.

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Already, professionals in various fields, such as writers and coders, have experienced job losses due to AI adoption. Hollywood writers, for instance, secured protections against compulsory use of AI-generated content in their union contracts. Despite claims from tech executives that AI will enhance productivity rather than replace jobs entirely, studies suggest that around 20 percent of American workers are in roles with high exposure to AI.

The newly formed group aims to produce a report offering insights for business leaders and workers. While the focus will be on 56 technology-related job types, the specific roles under scrutiny have not been disclosed yet. However, the participating companies are actively working to determine these job categories.

While Big Tech companies often emphasize reskilling and upskilling initiatives to adapt to technological shifts, they have also been associated with significant layoffs in the past. Despite assurances from AI company executives that the technology will primarily augment human efficiency, skepticism remains regarding its potential impact on employment.

Incorporating AI into software tools like Google Docs and Microsoft Outlook is