Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become so advanced that many people are concerned it will soon start taking far more work away from humans. Roles from receptionists to retail assistants could be among those replaced according to Kieran O’Connor, who runs a recruitment business in Cardiff and has seen what skills companies are looking for and how they are using AI tools.
There are many perspectives on AI, and how it can be used as a tool for people to speed up work flow and assist with daily activities which routinely take up large amounts of time, with the scope for it to help free up space for more complex jobs or creative roles that still require human attention.
But Kieran also believes that the solution for anyone concerned about AI taking their job in Wales is to foster human connection and focus on the human value that technology can not yet add to everyday tasks in work. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter
READ MORE: ‘Shockingly awful’ mobile phone signals in Swansea city centre are to be boosted
READ MORE: ‘I got £300 off a new Samsung tablet by following this simple tip at checkout’
He said: “AI affects not only my day to day as a recruitment professional, but the people around me and all the candidates I speak to in various different markets and we are seeing it more in the work industry right now. It is here to stay.”
One of the more surprising jobs Kieran believes could be done by AI in the future is retail assistants. He explained: “I think that one might be one of the furthest away, but I have seen videos of physical, automated robots probably doing a better job of communicating than some people, so I wholeheartedly believe there will be retail shops that will use robots and artificial intelligence as well.
“If we think back ten years ago, there wasn’t anything like the self scanners in supermarkets and here we are, and I think it will go one step further, whether that means physical assistive robots to help out with the cleaning duties, for example, or to welcome people into the shops, but I definitely believe that is an industry at risk.”
The other jobs Kieran believes could be at risk of being replaced by AI in Wales include:
- Customer service executives
- Recruitment consultants
- Data entry admins
- Call centre operators
- Receptionists
- Telemarketing
- Bookkeeping clerks
- Travel agents
- Hospitality assistants
- Insurance underwriters
- Human resources assistants
Kieran added: “Receptionist is probably the most suitable one if I’m honest. You call any big organisation these days and you’re through to an automated line. But I believe that companies will introduce an AI automated person or chatbot who could probably handle 80% of what a receptionist does and probably quicker.
“With that as well there are no moods to handle with them being up and down, happy one day, not so happy on the other day and just get the job done.” Considering what employees could do to enhance their own skillset, which AI could not replicate on a human level, Kieran noted: “It can’t read human behaviour at the minute, but the more value you can create in your role and going above and beyond I think is the main thing.”
He added: “It’s hard to work out how many people are in roles like this in Wales, but across the UK we’re into the millions. AI as a topic is more relevant than ever, and the speed at which it’s accelerating is crazy to say the least. Those that upskill, and offer genuine human connection with a hint of personality in roles like the above, will thrive.
“They could use AI to support their mundane tasks somehow, but ultimately we as people live to connect with others, and that won’t, and can’t be lost.”
Kieran is due to release a book in July that may answer some of the questions people have in this area, as it will address topics such as human psychology and ways to add value in the workplace, specifically about recruitment, although the concepts are designed to be translated to any industry.”