CITY PRESS, 3 FEBRUARY, 2019 he World Economic Forum (WEF) report confirmed
most of the things we already knew – that
automation and machine learning are set to create
as many jobs as they displace, that the gig
economy and flexible contract work will become
standard, and that a knowledge of data science is
going to be a key differentiator in the job market over the next
few years.
WORK
In just five years, the new report predicts that while 75 million
current jobs stand to be displaced, 133 million new jobs may
emerge at the same time – a net positive.
Moreover, as businesses get used to the new normal of AI
automation, flexible workplaces and task-specialised contract
work, they’ll start to engage with the concept of work differently.
They’ll focus on how machines can assist in the augmentation of
their human labour for greater productivity and
creativity rather than simply seeing automation as
a cost-cutting measure.
By 2025, it is expected that more than half
of total time spent on labour will be
LEE NAIK
handled by machines. What’s really
exciting about that figure is the type of
labour that’s going to be handed over to
robots – repetitive, time-consuming,
tedious and unsatisfying.
know how to futureproof your career, your
Imagine a future in which everything
from database management to debugging
and budget reports is delegated to an
best bet is the WEF Future of Jobs report.
algorithm. That leaves more time to do more
complex and fulfilling work – the kind that creates
Lee Naik unpacks the future of work
more lasting value.
In other words, the mass adoption of automation in the susceptible to the coming disruption. An estimated 5.7 million jobs There will, however, need to be a society-wide shift in thinking
workplace is set to make us more human, not less. We may not are reportedly at risk from digital automation. around what kind of skills are needed in the changing workplace.
be able to match the fast processing skills of an algorithm, but However, the flip side of that is that we also stand to gain more Most obvious is the need for data literacy – even the non-
that means we’ll be more able to lean into our unique strengths – from the fourth industrial revolution. With the right policies and technical roles of the future will need to have a baseline
creativity, communication, empathy and problem-solving that strategies in place, the estimated growth in productivity could knowledge of analytics and algorithms, the same way basic
even the most advanced AI cannot match. drastically reduce the number of jobs at risk and potentially numeracy and literacy is required today.
It’s becoming increasingly clear that the heroes of the fourth double the size of the economy. Less obvious are the so-called soft skills – how to collaborate
industrial revolution aren’t machines and algorithms, but the South Africa does have a few advantages up its sleeves that and connect effectively for value, how to drive your own
humans who are open to the possibilities of the new workplace. more developed nations don’t. As digital leapfrogs, we have far relevance in a more fluid job market, how to recognise new
fewer legacy issues to overcome before we can adopt new opportunities and the need for change, and how to learn
Learning to learn technological and employment frameworks. effectively.
Just how close are we to a radically transformed future of In fact, the Future of Jobs report finds that the majority of the Preparing the workforce for the future is less about teaching
work? The WEF report predicts that nearly all of these drivers for local population will need minimal reskilling to adapt – more than specific competencies and more about developing a mind-set for
change will occur in the next five years. In other words, if you’re 60% of the workforce will be able to be reskilled in under three lifelong learning and openness to change.
not getting your organisation ready now, you stand a serious risk months, with just under half requiring no reskilling at all. It’s time to forget the robot bogeyman or the excuses about
of falling behind. We have also proven to be a naturally adaptable, one of the key lack of digital skills. It’s up to us as South Africans to invest in
And just in case you think the timeline is different for emerging factors that will define success in the fourth industrial revolution. developing workforces and workplaces that value active learning,
nations, the data suggests otherwise. With a significant part of the With a young population and a focus on skills development and entrepreneurial thinking, and critical thinking.
population working manual or labour-intensive jobs that will be social inclusion in general, the ingredients are there for South How ready is your organisation?
most affected by automation, South Africa is particularly Africa to weather the transition just fine. . Naik is CEO of TransUnion Africa