The rise of artificial intelligence (AI), especially with innovations like ChatGPT, has created both excitement and fear in the job market. Many workers were initially worried about losing their jobs as AI took over routine tasks. However, some experts, like Sridhar Vembu of Zoho Corp, believe AI will lead to a “renaissance of traditional roles,” with new jobs emerging, such as AI trainers and ethical AI architects. These roles not only require new skills but also offer higher salaries compared to traditional tech jobs.

Professionals across India, like Akash, a software engineer, have faced the challenge of upskilling to stay relevant in the AI-driven workplace. Akash, for instance, enrolled in an AI specialization course to integrate machine learning (ML) models into his work, marking a key shift in his career. According to Gartner, about 80% of engineers will need to reskill due to AI by 2027, and LinkedIn forecasts 65% of job skills will change by 2030.

Specialized AI roles, such as AI trainers, compliance managers, and sentiment analysts, are becoming increasingly popular, demanding both technical expertise and an understanding of AI ethics. Companies like Cisco, Google, and SAP Labs are launching initiatives to upskill employees in AI. As AI literacy becomes essential, tools like ChatGPT and Gemini are now standard for many roles, with employees bringing their own AI tools to work to stay productive.

Salaries in AI-related fields are significantly higher, with positions in AI software engineering offering premiums of up to 40% compared to traditional tech roles. In India, professionals with AI expertise are already seeing salary increases of 15-20%. High-level AI roles are commanding substantial salaries, and even non-tech professionals are finding lucrative opportunities by acquiring AI skills.

Despite the fear that automation might replace jobs, experts argue that AI will not lead to massive job losses but will instead change the nature of work, with a greater emphasis on skills like adaptability, AI literacy, and problem-solving.

Read Also