TOP-PAYING SECTORS

BY SUNIL JOSE

Advances in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning are pushing the frontiers of technology. These newer generation autonomous systems can perform a range of routine activities faster and more economically than humans. Innovative companies are using them to augment their workforce, creating a demand for newly skilled talent which can adapt to these changes. Workforce development priorities and approaches vary. Financial services and technology firms are the most forward-looking and have progressed more than others on a number of fronts. Consumer products and retail are lagging. Technology firms place greater value on partnering with workforce development programmes and rolling out online training resources.

Mean machine

As many as 375 million workers globally are likely to require reskilling or make a transition to new occupational categories. Of all the technologies that will influence the future of work, AI will be the most transformational. From banks using anti-money laundering algorithms as they filter transactions to call centre chatbots augmenting customer interactions, companies across industries are using AI to make faster and better informed decisions. It will unlock new opportunities for humans and capable machines to collaborate closely, enabling businesses to become efficient and productive. Jobs are likely to change and various roles and industries will be impacted. The revolution looks set to also spawn new kinds of work that involve creativity, collaboration and complex problemsolving. Analytics, data sciences, sales and marketing jobs would be some of the promising job titles to be offered across sectors. CEOs and business have a role to play in helping people adapt to the changing nature of work by training them for the jobs of tomorrow, because successful AI means enhancing and not replacing the human workforce. ■ The writer is senior vice-president and country leader, Salesforce India