Bookmark: GenAI comes for jobs once considered 'safe' from automation
Exploring the latest OECD findings reveals how generative AI is set to revolutionize cognitive, non-routine jobs across urban landscapes. This shift could redefine productivity in sectors like education, ICT, and finance, affecting even those roles once deemed secure from automation. It’s intriguing to consider how regions unaccustomed to past automation will now face the brunt of this technological wave, presenting both challenges and opportunities for adaptation and growth. Understanding these dynamics is crucial as we navigate the evolving job market landscape.
While I was unable to locate a direct quote from the provided searches, a key statement from the article is: “Generative AI will transform many jobs, but its impact will be greatest in regions that have been least exposed to past waves of automation,” which reflects the OECD’s findings on the diverse impacts of AI on various job sectors. This captures the core argument that the technological shift will not only affect the types of jobs but also the geographical and skill-based distribution of workforces across different regions.
GenAI comes for jobs once considered ‘safe’ from automation
The article from “The Register” discusses the OECD’s recent findings on the transformative potential of generative AI on jobs previously deemed unaffected by automation. The central thesis posits that generative AI’s influence is likely to be profound in metropolitan areas and among high-skilled workers, particularly affecting roles that require cognitive non-routine tasks, which were less impacted by earlier waves of automation. The OECD anticipates that, unlike previous technologies that primarily impacted rural and manufacturing jobs, generative AI will significantly affect sectors like education, ICT, and finance. It highlights that up to 70% of tasks in these fields could be performed 50% faster with the maturation of AI technologies, thus affecting a substantial portion of the labor market in OECD countries. Despite concerns about job displacement, historical data suggests that automation has generally spurred productivity and job creation, albeit not always benefiting those displaced. The report underscores the importance of strategic application of AI to ensure positive outcomes, such as leveraging AI to enhance opportunities for low-skilled workers and addressing regional labor shortages. Policies tailored to regional characteristics are recommended to optimize AI integration’s benefits across various sectors
Featured writing
When your brilliant idea meets organizational reality: a survival guide
Is your cutting-edge AI strategy being derailed by organizational inertia? Discover how to navigate the chasm between visionary ideas and entrenched corporate realities.
Server-Side Dashboard Architecture: Why Moving Data Fetching Off the Browser Changes Everything
How choosing server-side rendering solved security, CORS, and credential management problems I didn't know I had.
AI as Coach: Transforming Professional and Continuing Education
In continuing education, learning doesn’t end when the course is completed. Professionals, executives, and lifelong learners often require months of follow-up, guidance, and reinforcement to fully integrate new knowledge into their work and personal lives. Traditionally, human coaches have filled this role—whether in leadership development, career advancement, corporate training, or personal growth. However, the cost and accessibility of one-on-one coaching remain significant barriers. AI-driven coaching has the potential to bridge this gap, providing continuous, personalized support at scale.
Books
The Work of Being (in progress)
A book on AI, judgment, and staying human at work.
The Practice of Work (in progress)
Practical essays on how work actually gets done.
Recent writing
Influence in the AI Era: Why Human Skills Still Matter
I read this and couldn't agree more: human skills are the linchpin in the age of AI. The article argues that while AI can automate tasks, it can't replicate empathy or the nuance of genuine human interaction. This isn't just about keeping jobs. It's about enhancing them. Empathy and leadership are not replaceable attributes; they are the catalysts for AI's true potential. Imagine a world where technology supports human connection rather than replaces it. Are we ready to embrace that vision, or will we let machines lead the way? Let's ensure the future remains human-centered.
Is Automation the Key to Organizational Resilience?
Automation as the backbone of resilience? This article argues it's essential, but let's not forget the human element. While automating routine tasks can indeed free up resources, it's the strategic deployment of human creativity that drives true innovation. Think of automation as the scaffolding, not the structure. The author claims automation transforms efficiency, yet the real transformation happens when we align technology with human insight. So, are we building resilience or just a faster treadmill? Let's ensure our focus remains on enriching human potential, not just replacing it.
The one-person company advantage: why coordination overhead is the new competitive liability
Imagine a marketer who single-handedly rebuilt his company's entire demand-generation engine in just six weeks using a stack of AI tools. Historically, this task would have required a small team, including a copywriter, designer, analyst, and marketing ops person. Yet, here we have a solo operator outpacing what a team of specialists used to achieve. The secret? It's not about exceptional talent; it's about the structural advantages AI tools unlock.