Artificial intelligence is filtering into nearly every part of our lives, which means there's no stopping it from reshaping the labor market.
By 2030, activities that account for up to 30% of hours currently worked across the US economy could be automated — a trend accelerated by generative AI, according to consulting firm McKinsey Global Institute.
"The accelerated development of generative AI, with its advanced natural language capabilities, has extended the possibilities for automation to a much wider set of occupations," the firm said in a report. "Although generative AI is still in the early stages, the potential applications for businesses are significant and wide-ranging."
"Generative" refers to the fact that these tools can identify patterns across enormous sets of data and generate new content, according to McKinsey, an ability that has often been considered uniquely human.
"Generative AI can be used to write code, design products, create marketing content and strategies, streamline operations, analyze legal documents, provide customer service via chatbots, and even accelerate scientific discovery. It can be used on its own or with 'humans in the loop,'" the firm said. "All of this means that automation is about to affect a wider set of work activities involving expertise, interaction with people, and creativity."
So, which jobs are potentially safe from an AI takeover? According to McKinsey, generative AI is expected to enhance the way STEM, creative, and business and legal professionals work rather than eliminate a significant number of jobs outright.
"Automation's biggest effects are likely to hit other job categories," the firm noted, adding that "office support, customer service, and food service employment could continue to decline."
The report goes on to say these jobs involve a high share of repetitive tasks, data collection, and elementary data processing -- all activities that automated systems can handle efficiently.
"Our analysis also finds a modest decline in production jobs despite an upswing in the overall US manufacturing sector, which is explained by the fact that the sector increasingly requires fewer traditional production jobs but more skilled technical and digital roles," the firm said.
McKinsey pointed out that their research does not indicate that generative AI will necessarily wipe out jobs, but rather change work duties significantly for many occupations.
"When machines take over dull or unpleasant tasks, people can be left with more interesting work that requires creativity, problem-solving, and collaborating with others," the firm said. "The challenge will be helping workers match up with the jobs of the future."
"Workers will need to gain proficiency with these tools and, importantly, use the time that is freed up to focus on higher-value activities," McKinsey added, noting that AI "could help drive US productivity growth to 3 to 4 percent annually."