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Blacksmiths, switchboard operators, movie rental clerks: each technological revolution has had occupational casualties, but the age of artificial intelligence has many people worried it’s coming for their jobs. Even people within the IT space are wondering what will happen to their roles as generative AI is adopted across organizations and industries.
There’s definitely enough investment in AI for tech talent to wonder what the future holds. In fact, IT field is among the three most common functions where organizations are using generative AI according to McKinsey & Company’s most recent State of AI report. This widespread adoption of everything from AI-powered platforms to AI agents has the potential to impact software development, IT support, cybersecurity, and data analysis in unprecedented ways.
In some cases, that has resulted in layoffs or downsizing. There already has been a significant downsizing in India’s IT outsourcing industry, which may or may not be attributable to the adoption of AI by companies stateside. An increasing number of domestic layoffs are also being attributed to AI.
AI isn’t going anywhere and organizations that make the most of this innovation will be those that strike the proper balance between human and artificial intelligence. As the World Economic Forum put it, “people will be at the heart of successful AI use.”
That said, here are the ways AI is impacting existing IT roles, the new roles you’ll need to hire for, and the methods you’ll need to pursue to keep your workforce competitive.
How AI Is Transforming Traditional Tech Roles
Is AI coming for your job? Probably not. Nevertheless, the technology is reinventing a variety of roles and transforming how they’re being done.
Software Development
Coding is one role where we’re likely to see the most automation take hold. A survey from Gartner found that 75% of enterprise software engineers are using AI assistants for code generation and completion. Some are even using generative AI tools to review and point out code bugs prior to launch.
However, early and current generations of AI generated code may have more security flaws with as many as 63% of security leaders contemplating banning of AI code because of the security risk. With the potential threat posed by unsecured code, software developers need to be sure they apply the same level of scrutiny they would to a peer’s code to AI-generated coding syntax. Otherwise, vulnerabilities might multiply across projects and platforms.
IT Support and Operations
With the range of possible security threats and operational issues, hiring all the front-line support staff you need to thrive has the potential to be prohibitively expensive. Robotic process automation (RPA) can automate routine and repeatable tasks, but AI can handle complex workflows and evolving responsibilities.
For example, AI-powered monitoring tools can proactively gather data on server logs, network traffic, and user interactions to pinpoint bottlenecks and identify security risks. In many cases, these tools can take the initiative to make updates and prevent these issues in the future.
Plus, AI is also diminishing the need for routine manual troubleshooting. Natural language processing (NLP) available through AI-powered chatbots can analyze questions from users to provide them with potential fixes to their issues, troubleshooting in real-time. This can free up IT support staff for truly novel or complex issue resolution.
Data Science and Analysis
The ability to understand complex and multifaceted data and ask the right questions using that data has long been the realm of data scientists. With the introduction of artificial intelligence, more of the routine analysis work can be outsourced, permitting data scientists to focus on asking incisive questions and persuasively sharing insights with stakeholders.
For starters, automated data processing can handle different elements of the analysis lifecycle, providing data scientists with the foundation to maximize insight. That can range from data collection and cleaning to drafting reports, writing Python code, or creating visualizations.
Artificial intelligence can even be used to appraise analytical methodologies for shortcomings or opportunities to improve, helping data scientists to make ongoing improvements to how they work.
Hiring Emerging Artificial Intelligence Roles
Artificial intelligence as a skillset is no longer confined to research institutes or AI pioneers; it’s a growing staple for any organization. Whether you choose to hire dedicated AI professionals or upskill existing team members, the message is clear: you need the following professionals on your roster:
- AI/ML Engineers – Hiring AI/ML engineers will offer greater latitude and malleability as you innovate. These engineers can refine AI models, identify ways to optimize workflows, set realistic AI goals, and customize your existing implementations. Whether using out-of-the-box tools or a homegrown solution, they can help maximize automation and boost analysis.
- AI Ethics and Policy Engineers – The laws and regulations surrounding artificial intelligence are changing so quickly that organizations need in-house policy experts. Everything from ongoing legal cases against generative AI to international laws governing safe and ethical AI can inhibit your plans. AI ethics and policy engineers not only help navigate legality, but ensure your artificial intelligence ethics prioritize privacy, fairness, and transparency.
- AI-Powered Product Management – Who is overseeing the big picture implementation of artificial intelligence? AI product managers can blend business and industry expertise with their understanding of the capabilities and limitations of AI. This holistic way of thinking can accelerate the implementation of AI projects as well as initiatives that can benefit from AI-powered workflows.
Preparing for the AI-Driven Future
How does your organization unlock the power of artificial intelligence here and now? There needs to be a total mindset shift along the lines of how leaders and professionals became data-centric during the early days of digital transformation.
Formalized training programs can offer your in-house team linear and consistent progress in AI skills development. Upskilling and reskilling programs provide individuals who are adaptable and motivated to learn artificial intelligence with the structure to broaden their knowledge at a quick pace. By funding their ongoing education, you can also incentivize emerging AI talent to stay with your organization.
Whether you’re looking to elevate the skillsets of your employees or build an AI-savvy workforce from scratch, it can help to collaborate with experienced partners. Grand Circus, a Dexian company, can tailor cost-effective workshops to cultivate a workforce over the course of a 12-to-24-week bootcamp to accelerate the growth of enthusiastic novices to budding AI masters.
Though AI will change the focus and function of the IT field, it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. If you give tech professionals the means of adjusting to and harnessing the power of AI, you can maintain your ability to leverage the best of elements of humans and artificial intelligence without sacrificing either.
Are you looking to stay connected to how artificial intelligence is reshaping the business world? Check out our webinar “Decoding AI: Ethics, Efficiency, and the Candidate Experience” for even more insights.
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