Framework for Skill Development in AI-Adopted Job Markets

By Darshana S Nair,

(Image source: Future of Jobs Report, 2018)

Remember those sci-fi movies in which machines take over the world, and all those times when we thought it was impossible? Well, it is time to think again. Once called the future of computer science, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved into our reality in just ten years. Gone are the days when you had to slog for hours in the factory, manually lifting objects, maintaining ledgers and standing in long queues to clarify doubts. A lot of these tasks have become automated.

AI systems replacing modern manual labour, leading to risk of technological unemployment is a future possibility. On the one hand, studies by labour economists suggest that one more robot per 1000 workers would reduce the employment to population ratio by about 0.18–0.34 per cent and wages by 0.25–0.50 per cent. On the other hand, according to a survey conducted by Deloitte consulting firm, workforce reduction was ranked the lowest at 22 per cent. Here, the question is how fast we provide the alternative job opportunity, re-engineer the jobs and find the right person with the right temperament for it.

First, we need to address the skill gap. AI would rapidly change the job structure of the economy creating a large shift in the job structure and the demand and supply for skill, which has the potential to widen and close the gap among workers. According to the Future of Jobs report 2018, there are three possible methods to incorporate AI in to the job structure: hiring new workers with training, retain and retrain the old workers and automate the tasks completely. Choosing either one or a combination of these can certainly bring a change. Also, studies by LinkedIn and the World Economic Forum reveal that only 22 per cent of AI professionals are women. On a national level, this may be addressed by giving more emphasis to women initiatives under Mudra scheme, as mentioned in the 2019–20 Union Budget.

Second, there is a need to follow an augmentation strategy, whereby businesses seek to utilise the automation of certain tasks in order to enhance the productivity and efficiency of the human workforce. Human workforce and machines need to work as Co-Bots, rather than just two separate entities. Focussing on ‘specialised’ jobs would also increase efficiency.

Third, there is a need for re-skilling through in-house programmes. Providing a lifelong learning system to workers throughout the course of their employment can be a solution for skill development crisis. According to the Future of Jobs report 2018, no less than 54 per cent of all employees would need reskilling by 2022.

Fourth, there is a need to revamp the educational sector. This is necessary to people stay employable in the labour market, as discussed in the World Economic Forum 2016. Given the young population of India, the education curriculum should include technical knowledge through site-based internships, virtual reality programmes and cross disciplinary AI education. Introducing AI/ML in schools is a positive step. The setting up of ICTAIs, AIRAWAT, IP regime, CERN and CORE centres for AI is aimed towards the same.

Fifth, a proactive governmental setup is required. Partnerships with private entities can ensure the flow of capital, development of digital infrastructure and entrepreneurship, which India lacks. Using predictive technology, productivity in the agricultural sector would increase by 20–30 per cent.

Under the Digital India scheme, the rural areas too can take the benefits from AI. The creation of a multi-stakeholder owned and managed National AI marketplace and supporting Venture Capital collaborations are under discussion.

Finally, organisations and scientists have been vying for regulatory oversight and new laws, both at the national and international level to govern the use and growth of AI. The tendency to misuse AI, threatening global peace, undermining privacy and security, and business law and ethics needs to be dealt with. A national strategy is being constructed under NITI Aayog including studies on Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) by DARPA.

Despite being ranked third among G20 countries in the total number of AI start-ups, India faces an 

underdeveloped digital infrastructure, and uncertain demand and supply for skilled labour. This initiates the need for skill development programmes, enhancing the performance of AI-adopted job markets. What becomes important today is accepting the fact that AI is our future, and formulating proactive measures to be ready for it.

(Darshana S Nair is Research Intern at Centre for Public Policy Research. Views expressed by the author are personal and need not reflect or represent the views of Centre for Public Policy Research)

References

Bernzzani, Sophia. 10 jobs Artificial intelligence will replace (and 10 that are safe).
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/jobs-artificial-intelligence-will-replace.

Chapman, Terri. Conceptualising an inclusive future of work in India.
https://www.orfonline.org/research/43609-conceptualising-an-inclusive-future-of-work-in-india/.

Duke, Sue. 2018. Will AI make the gender gap in the workplace harder to close?
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/12/artificial-intelligence-ai-gender-gap-workplace/.

Future of Jobs Report. 2018. https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2018
http://reports.weforum.org/future-of-jobs-2018/india/#.

He, David and Vanessa Guo. 4 ways AI will impact the financial job market.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/09/4-ways-ai-artificial-intelligence-impact-financial-job-
market/.

Heath, Nick. 12 February 2018. What is AI? Everything you need to know about Artificial Intelligence.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-is-ai-everything-you-need-to-know-about-artificial-
intelligence/.

Marsden, Paul. 4 September 2017. Artificial intelligence defined: useful list of popular definitions
from business and science. https://digitalwellbeing.org/artificial-intelligence-defined-useful-list-of-
popular-definitions-from-business-and-science/.

McKendrick, Joe. 30 June 2019. Only humans can provide the intelligence in Artificial Intelligence.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/joemckendrick/2019/06/30/only-humans-can-provide-the-
intelligence-in-artificial-intelligence/#522b1d082997.

National strategy for Artificial Intelligence #AIFORALL. June 2018.
https://niti.gov.in/writereaddata/files/document_publication/NationalStrategy-for-AI-Discussion-
Paper.pdf.

North, Ryan. The importance of artificial intelligence in this advanced world.
https://www.enterpriseedges.com/importance-artificial-intelligence.

Perisic, Igor. 17 September 2018. How artificial intelligence is already impacting today’s jobs?
https://economicgraph.linkedin.com/blog/how-artificial-intelligence-is-already-impacting-todays-
jobs.

Savaram, Ravindra. How artificial intelligence is revolutionizing education?
https://mindmajix.com/artificial-intelligence-is-revolutionizing-education.

Shaping the future of technology governance: Artificial Intelligence and machine learning.
https://www.weforum.org/communities/artificial-intelligence-and-machine-learning.

Singh, Tarry. 19 September 2018. Skill up your career for the new AI economy.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/cognitiveworld/2018/09/19/skill-up-your-career-for-the-new-ai-
economy/#6f46f3ea52c4.

Tunc, Baris. 18 May 2018. What are the consequences of Artificial Intelligence for the job market?
http://www.ithappens.nu/artificial-intelligence-job-market/.

Uj, Anjali. 4 October 2018. How artificial intelligence is transforming the Indian economy.
https://www.analyticsinsight.net/how-artificial-intelligence-is-transforming-the-indian-economy/.

Violin, Bob. 13 November 2017. Report: Artificial Intelligence is creating jobs, generating economic
gains. https://www.zdnet.com/article/report-from-the-field-artificial-intelligence-is-creating-jobs-
generating-economic-gains/.

WEF report 2018. https://www.weforum.org/events/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2018.