AI & Blockchain: Are they coming for our jobs?
Recently I was browsing the web for the latest Artificial intelligence (AI) news when I came across an interesting article by Fortune discussing the threat of this technology to workforce jobs. This is something that’s been on my mind for quite some time but now is coming more to fruition, as we’ve seen huge advancements in AI infrastructure over the last few months that are bleeding into our everyday tasks and lives.
Not only is AI having a significant impact on workplace efficiency but also raising eyebrows as to how to best reallocate resources within organizations. In the Web3 space, this is becoming especially prevalent, as it’s where I have the most exposure - many of the jobs that workers in Web3 are performing can already be done by AI, causing growing concern for potential industry-wide job displacement.
There are a few key areas in Web3 and blockchain where I think AI is already playing a pivotal role (at least in the fundamentals for now). I still strongly believe that there will always be skills and talents that AI can’t replace, as the human element is absolutely essential from a creative and relationship-based standpoint.
Here’s my initial list, which is not exhaustive, as there are more areas where AI is establishing a presence in:
- Smart Contracts: Many think that AI can currently just spit out ideas and creatives in the form of content, but it’s capable of much more than that - AI technology can actually write full lines of code and programs extremely proficiently, which also may reduce susceptibility to errors and increase accuracy.
- Data Analysis: In Web3, data and analytics are king. To develop a solid foundation for a marketing strategy, you need to have the numbers to back it up along with a fundamental understanding of your customers and audience. AI takes large data sets and identifies patterns and trends in a concise format that can be seamlessly integrated into any strategy.
- Content: AI has the ability to write content in a matter of seconds, from short posts to long, elaborate essays by gathering data and information from the web. In addition, there are several programs (such as Midjourney) that can develop instant images of any shape and size based on instructions and parameters - some more detailed and artistic than skilled graphic designers.
Don’t get me wrong… it’s definitely concerning for many how quickly AI is becoming intertwined with our lives and I do believe there is a threat to jobs on a broad scale - but I want to put a positive spin on this as well. As a Web3 marketer myself, many tasks are mundane and extremely time-consuming, making it tough to focus on the most important things for projects and clients. As the recent AI hype has continued, I’ve already seen a notable difference in workplace efficiency, productivity, and innovation due to the simple fact that we have more time to focus on the strategic aspects of the business.
We’ll also likely see a shift in how work roles are defined. I could definitely see a future where employers retrain and enhance their employees’ skills to adapt to tasks that are less automated, tackling the rise of AI in a different way to allow it to flourish.
When things like this happen, it’s important to assess the situation from all angles and strategize for your project or business. After all, it’s becoming clear that AI is inevitable - while it may be a threat to certain jobs and professions, it’s here to stay, so we might as well find ways to best adapt.
Damir Horvat
