Global AI and the future of work

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the most transformative technologies of the 21st century. Its rapid adoption is reshaping industries, revolutionizing workflows, and redefining what employment looks like in a world increasingly driven by automation and machine learning. 

We sat down with Euvin Naidoo, Thunderbird School of Global Management’s distinguished professor of practice and global expert in agile management and AI, to talk about global AI and the future of work. Naidoo is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Future of Job Creation.  

Naidoo is also the 2024 recipient of The Case Centre’s Outstanding Case Teacher award.. This November, he will be leading Thunderbird’s inaugural two-day open enrollment immersion on Artificial Intelligence.

Opportunities presented by AI

Naidoo said AI offers numerous benefits that can enhance productivity, streamline operations, and foster innovation across various industries. Some of the key opportunities include:

Increased efficiency: AI-powered tools can automate repetitive tasks, reducing human error and allowing employees to focus on more strategic and creative work. This leads to higher overall productivity.

“This is particularly evident in sectors like manufacturing, where robotics are streamlining production, or customer service, where chatbots and virtual assistants handle inquiries 24/7,” Naidoo said.

New forms of employment: As AI evolves, entirely new job categories are emerging, such as AI ethics officers, data scientists, and machine learning engineers. These roles focus on the development, deployment, and oversight of AI systems, expanding employment opportunities in high-skill areas.

Enhanced decision-making: AI algorithms can analyze massive amounts of data quickly and accurately, helping companies make more informed, data-driven decisions. This is particularly beneficial in industries like finance, healthcare, and logistics.

“Importantly, AI is not just about replacing human work—it’s about augmenting it. AI tools can enhance human capabilities, making professionals in fields like design, marketing, and medicine more productive and effective,” Naidoo said.

Challenges of AI adoption

Naidoo said that while the potential is enormous, the road to AI adoption is not without hurdles. He said AI adoption also presents significant challenges that need to be addressed to minimize the negative impact on the workforce:

Job displacement: One of the primary concerns is the potential for AI to replace jobs, particularly those involving routine and repetitive tasks. For example, roles in manufacturing, customer service, and data entry may be vulnerable to automation.

Need for upskilling and reskilling: As automation takes over some jobs, there is an increasing need for employees to gain new skills. Upskilling and reskilling initiatives will be critical for helping workers transition into new roles that require a higher level of expertise in AI-related technologies.

Widening skills gap: AI adoption may exacerbate existing inequalities in the job market. Workers who lack the necessary digital skills may find themselves at a disadvantage, further emphasizing the importance of education and training programs that prepare workers for an AI-driven economy.

Integration with existing systems: Naidoo said that many companies still rely on legacy IT systems, and modernizing them to accommodate AI can be both costly and time-consuming. 

“Add to that the shortage of skilled AI talent—data scientists, machine learning engineers, and AI ethicists—and it becomes clear why some organizations are slow to adopt AI,” he said.

Ethical considerations surrounding AI deployment

As AI becomes more integrated into business and society, ethical concerns must be addressed to ensure its responsible development and use:

Bias in AI: “Since AI learns from data, it can unintentionally perpetuate existing biases,” Naidoo said. “This can lead to unfair outcomes, such as biased hiring decisions or discriminatory lending practices. Ensuring fairness and accountability in AI systems is vital, especially in high-stakes areas like finance and healthcare.”

Transparency and accountability: AI decision-making processes are often opaque, leading to what is known as the "black box" problem. It is crucial that businesses and policymakers establish clear guidelines to ensure AI systems are transparent, explainable, and accountable for their decisions.

Data privacy: With AI systems processing vast amounts of data, there are growing concerns about data privacy and security. Companies must ensure they handle sensitive data responsibly and comply with relevant regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

AI and human dignity: There is also a broader ethical question about how AI will impact human dignity and autonomy. For instance, relying too heavily on AI for decision-making in areas like healthcare and criminal justice could erode personal freedoms and fairness.

Creating policies and regulations for responsible AI

To mitigate the risks associated with AI and maximize its benefits, policymakers and businesses need to work together to develop a comprehensive framework for responsible AI. “Data protection laws like GDPR in Europe and the CCPA in California are a good start, but they need to evolve as AI continues to develop,” Naidoo said.

Key considerations include:

AI governance: Establishing guidelines for AI governance that ensure systems are safe, reliable, and aligned with ethical standards. This includes creating frameworks for monitoring AI's impact on employment and enforcing accountability.

Workforce transition support: Governments and businesses must invest in education and training initiatives to help workers adapt to new job requirements. Programs like digital literacy training and vocational reskilling will be essential to help displaced workers transition to AI-enabled roles.

AI standards: Naidoo said AI regulation should be coordinated globally. “Since AI technology transcends borders, global collaboration is necessary to ensure that all countries benefit and that ethical standards are maintained,” he said.

Implementing AI in your business plan

For businesses looking to implement AI into their operations, Naidoo said the following steps can help guide the process:

1. Assess your business needs

Begin by identifying areas where AI can provide the most value. For example, is there a specific process that can be automated to save time and resources, or is there a need for better data analysis to inform decision-making?

2. Invest in the right talent

As AI becomes more integrated into your operations, it’s essential to have the right team in place. This may involve hiring data scientists, AI engineers, and experts in AI ethics who can develop and oversee the systems being implemented.

3. Create a data strategy

AI thrives on data. Implementing AI successfully requires a solid data infrastructure that can store, organize, and analyze vast amounts of information. Businesses should also ensure they are adhering to data privacy regulations.

“I recommend starting with small pilot projects to test AI’s impact before scaling up,” Naidoo said. “This allows organizations to assess the technology’s effectiveness without committing too many resources upfront.”

4. Adopt a flexible approach

AI is constantly evolving. Businesses need to be flexible in their approach, staying up to date on the latest AI advancements and continuously fine-tuning their systems to adapt to changing market conditions.

5. Monitor and evaluate

Ongoing evaluation is crucial to ensuring AI systems are performing as expected. Establish benchmarks for success and continually assess the AI’s impact on both business outcomes and the workforce.

Grow your skills to lead adoption of AI   

The widespread adoption of AI is already transforming the global workforce, creating new opportunities while simultaneously posing challenges. As AI continues to evolve, businesses must be proactive in adopting ethical and responsible practices. 

Naidoo said that by embracing upskilling initiatives, addressing ethical concerns, and creating thoughtful policies, both companies and policymakers can ensure that AI benefits all sectors of society. 

Thunderbird can help professionals grow their skills to meet the challenges of global AI. Two Executive Education certifications are available: AI and the Future of Work and AI and Intelligent Transformation. Each will give you new tools you can use to deploy artificial intelligence in the business world.