This Is How The Rise Of AI May Affect Your Tech Job

Work changes all the time: In 1900, about 60% of the U.S. population lived on farms or in rural areas, a figure which has reduced to about 2%, and this reduction can be partially explained by advances in technology.

Likewise, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, cities with gas street lights upgraded to electric lighting––and the previously crucial role of the lamplighter was no longer required.

American labor history is dotted with similar incidents. Pin boys, responsible for resetting bowling pins by hand, are no longer required, nor are lift operators, as technology made both of these jobs obsolete.

In 2023, the big workplace replacement fear employees currently have is around AI, particularly as generative AI has exploded into the public consciousness over the past 12 months. 

FOBO is growing

Fear of becoming obsolete, or as it is otherwise known, FOBO, is a very real concern for American employees.

A new poll from Gallup has found that 22% of workers in the U.S. are worried that technology will make their jobs obsolete, representing a 7% increase since 2021.

The figure had previously varied between 13% and 17%, with little upward movement in the trend, Gallup says, which indicates a new awareness and anxiety about AI’s potential.

The workers who are the most worried are college-educated, and earning salaries under $100,000 annually––also known as the cohort often found in mid-career tech roles.

More new data from Pew Research Center indicates that one in five American workers have a job with “high exposure” to artificial intelligence, and a recent Goldman Sachs study found that generative AI tools could impact 300 million full-time jobs worldwide.

Jobs at risk

Pew’s study identified budget analysts, data entry keyers, tax preparers, technical writers and web developers as particularly vulnerable. These roles often require more analytical skills, which leaves them open to AI tools either replacing or assisting their “most important” job functions.

It’s also well-known that customer service roles, for example, are particularly vulnerable to automation. At Amazon, employees tested ChatGPT and said it does a "very good job" of answering customer queries.

When it comes to tech roles, software engineers, data scientists and cybersecurity professionals may be the ones most exposed in the face of artificial intelligence, but this is likely to be in terms of how new tools and processes will augment their jobs.

For example, AI could lower the barriers to entry for software development, as it can make suggestions and auto-complete commands as engineers write code.

In cybersecurity, AI can automate routine tasks, detect patterns in large datasets, and assist in rapid threat analysis as well as identify known attack patterns.

Similarly, in data science roles, it can generate hundreds or thousands of variations of models with different prediction features, but as this is a role that needs human interpretation, AI won’t take away these jobs.

Discover a new opportunity

If you’re in the market for a new role, then the Benzinga Job Board should be your first step. It contains thousands of roles across all job titles and sectors just waiting to be discovered. Browse three of those below.

Information System Security Officer (ISSO), ENSCO, Inc., Colorado Springs

ENSCO Inc. has an opportunity for a motivated Information System Security Officer (ISSO) to implement and maintain a strong cybersecurity program for ongoing contracts with the US Space Force. A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, as well as a minimum of five years’ of experience as a cybersecurity professional supporting classified systems authorized IAW 32 CFR Part 117 (NISPOM Rule), DAAPM, ICD 503, and/or NIST 800-53, is required. Apply here.

Cyber Security, CACI, VA

CACI is seeking a Cyber Security / Engineering professional responsible for discovering vulnerabilities and risks in network systems with ongoing vulnerability scans, monitoring network data, and ensuring hardware and software applications are updated. You’ll help to design, develop, procure, implement, operate/sustain, and enhance networks and cybersecurity posture in support of national security. You’ll require secret or above clearance levels, a BA/BS degree and between two and six years’ experience. Get all the requirements here.

Senior Software Engineer, Vive Financial, Fayetteville

Vive Financial is looking for a Senior Software Engineer to utilize DevOps as a tool to document changes and follow accepted change control practices, complete all project documentation associated with assignments, and apply an advanced level knowledge of MS SQL Server utilizing T-SQL, stored procedures and transaction processing concepts in the development of software applications. Additionally you'll need five years’ of experience, and a Bachelor’s degree in a technology related field. Get more details here.

For thousands more opportunities across the tech sector, visit the Benzinga Job Board today