Digitalization, with AI as a groundbreaking newcomer, will significantly impact the future of work. This influence is already underway, says digital expert and author Jo Caudron. “We’re already seeing it in so-called knowledge work – which includes HR service providers. However, in the long run, it will undoubtedly transform industries like manufacturing as well.”
AI as (part of the) solution
Jo Caudron has been active in the digital field for over thirty years and has witnessed several technological revolutions during his career. “The speed at which AI is manifesting today leaves little room to create new roles as compensation for potential task or job loss. If one process develops in three to five years and another requires ten to fifteen years, society faces a gap where people temporarily risk falling through the cracks. This could cause significant societal disruption. The digital evolution doesn’t necessarily mean that entire jobs will be impacted, but rather that specific tasks and subtasks may be organized differently,” Jo explains with nuance.
“AI offers tremendous benefits in various professions, as it’s an excellent tool for processing and understanding information faster. But there are also risks and challenges to be mindful of. One such challenge in the world of work is the fact that many junior professionals, fresh from school, have undergone an educational trajectory that doesn’t fully align with what’s expected of them in professional life. Mentoring by senior employees in organizations is crucial, yet this phase is under pressure because juniors’ tasks are the first to be replaced by AI. In other words, there’s a risk of losing an essential learning process within organizations, where juniors gradually gain insight through ‘undesirable’ tasks.”
The key to greater efficiency in HR
Within HR services, Jo identifies two dimensions where AI can have an impact. “On one hand, AI will replace certain knowledge tasks, as we already see now with document creation, reporting, and guiding recruitment processes. On the other hand, there are potential shifts among HR service providers’ clients: if they undergo HR transformation, it will affect HR service providers. This could potentially mean a reduction in activities as clients face crises. At the same time, it presents opportunities, as companies in transition need guidance with new HR solutions.
It is essential to think about how employees can effectively utilize AI and integrate it into their work optimally, thereby making services even more efficient. Furthermore, HR experts must help their clients understand AI’s impact on their organizations. This can be achieved through workshops and training sessions on improving business processes with AI. The HR sector could also assist in developing mentorship programs that support the transition from junior to senior roles, ensuring young professionals receive the guidance they need for career growth.”
Neither overestimated nor underestimated
The digital train, with AI as its engineer, is unstoppable, asserts Jo Caudron: “There has never been a technological evolution that we’ve managed to prevent. We just have to learn to manage it well, as we did with the internet, mobile internet, and social media. The conclusion has always been the same: it’s inevitable. People often tend to overestimate the short-term impact of innovative technology and invest heavily in it, only to discover it doesn’t work as originally envisioned. At the same time, we consistently underestimate the long-term influence of such evolutions, leaving us surprised by what’s eventually possible.
Both political and corporate decisions in this regard must be carefully considered and weighed. The impact of AI will only become apparent in the long term, but our obligation is to start addressing it thoughtfully today. It is crucial to make strategic choices that positively influence AI’s integration into society and the economy, enabling us to maximize benefits while managing risks.”
AI’s societal evolution
“There are still many unknowns surrounding this phenomenon,” Jo Caudron states. “The societal impact will depend on how we manage AI over the next ten years. Poor management risks turning white-collar jobs into the new blue-collar jobs. Traditional office positions, once seen as safe and prestigious, could vanish or be significantly simplified in the short term. This would naturally accelerate insecurity and inequality. These shifts may also have broader social implications, creating tensions, especially if people cannot keep up with the changes. We need to ask ourselves where we want to go as a society.”
Article written by CFR Global Executive Search Belgium
Photo source: Vecteezy