White collar roles more at threat from AI

• Generative AI can effortlessly imitate nnumerous white-collar positions, that are routine responsibilities, according to Pearson research.
  
  
• Less than 1% of the tasks typically carried out in a blue-collar worker's weekly routine could be feasibly handled by generative AI.
  
  
• White-collar employees ought to consider enhancing their skills and adapting to changes by focusing on upskilling.
  

In the next decade, the influence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) will be more pronounced in white-collar positions compared to blue-collar ones, according to Pearson, an educational publishing and services firm.

In numerous white-collar positions, there are routine responsibilities, like scheduling appointments or managing calls, that generative AI can effortlessly imitate. Pearson research suggests that approximately 30% or more of the tasks performed in a typical work week for certain white-collar roles could potentially be automated using generative AI.

Among the white-collar professions, those heavily centred on mathematics, such as engineering, face the greatest impact. However, these roles rely on tasks that involve calculations where generative AI presently struggles, rendering them relatively more resistant to immediate automation.

Blue collar job difficult to replace

Jobs within the blue-collar sector, particularly those involving creative, hands-on, and cooperative tasks, are less susceptible to the alterations brought about by the advancements in this technology.

Numerous blue-collar jobs, like those in mechanics or construction, encompass physical labour or direct interaction with customers—areas not easily replicated by generative AI. Less than 1% of the tasks typically carried out in a blue-collar worker's weekly routine could be feasibly handled by generative AI.

Reskilling the need of the hour

Some of the most affected while collar jobs include roles like word processor, stall and market salespersons, administrative secretaries and accountants.

On the other hand, sales and marketing managers and working proprietors and directors in industries such as transport and communication, lodging and catering services, manufacturing and lawyers would be the least affected.

White-collar employees ought to consider enhancing their skills and adapting to changes by focusing on upskilling. This involves honing soft skills such as creativity, communication, and leadership, which are not readily replicable by generative AI.

“Workers should also be learning about how to use generative AI to become more efficient at repetitive tasks, so they can improve productivity by spending more time on high value activities,” says the report.

Focus on competencies

“It is important that today’s jobseeker focusses on competency mapping technical and functional competency, leadership competency, behavioural competency, organisational competency and situational-based competency,” says Munira Loliwala, AVP , strategy and growth, TeamLease Digital.

So one needs to know one’s job role, one’s tasks and then functions to be performed. The act of leading and the act of commanding and the act of creating the roadmap would be equally important.

Also, one needs to be in alignment with the goal, mission and vision of the organisation. How you adapt to the different situations at the workplace and how you create a balance between personal and professional attributes and how you perform your tasks within given teams and with different stakeholders, also becomes important.

Once a job seeker focusses on these competencies, he or she is less likely to be replaced by AI.