FINAL WORD
Blending human and AI skills in African enterprises
In the AI era , the most valuable employees will be those who bring human qualities , such as critical thinking , creativity , communication and ethical judgment , to complement AI capabilities . Emerging roles such as AI trainers , AI linguists , data scientists , AI strategists require expertise in AI technologies combined with critical and ethical thinking , says Doug Woolley at Dell Technologies South Africa .
As industries continue to undergo rapid digital transformation , the question on everyone ’ s mind is , will AI take my job ? The answer is not as simple as a yes or no . AI is changing the job landscape , but rather than replacing humans outright , it is creating new opportunities . While some traditional tasks may be automated , entirely new roles are emerging that require unique skills in AI , data and digital expertise .
In South Africa , a white paper released by the Top Employers Institute has revealed that 65 % of respondents believe that AI will enhance their career prospects . Additionally , 82 % think it will help them acquire new skills , 70 % feel it would boost their efficiency , and 59 % are confident that AI will create new work opportunities . Furthermore , 74 % said that it would support a better work-life balance .
Many are surprised to learn that AI is as much about creating jobs as eliminating them . The World Economic Forum anticipates that 69 million new roles will be created over the next five years , particularly in areas that demand a strong understanding of AI .
AI is creating a profound shift not only in how work is done but also in the skills required to succeed . For instance , roles such as AI trainers , data engineers and AI strategists are set to become essential across industries . Locally , the need for a wide range of AI skills has grown significantly in recent years , with South African businesses seeking expert leaders who specialise in AI skills to lead their AI initiatives .
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