Generative AI (genAI) is set to automate up to 25% of IT jobs, a significant shift that’s gaining momentum across the industry. According to a recent survey conducted by Duke University and the Federal Reserve banks, 32% of organizations plan to use AI in the next year to take over tasks that were traditionally done by human workers.
Nearly 60% of companies, and a staggering 84% of large enterprises, have already implemented AI solutions by mid-2024.
Potential job losses span various sectors within IT, with companies increasingly leaning on AI to manage routine, repetitive, and process-driven tasks. As this trend accelerates, it is reshaping job descriptions and workforce needs across the industry, forcing executives to reconsider workforce planning strategies and future capabilities.
Is your IT job safe?
IT support and help desk roles are particularly vulnerable to AI-driven job losses. Tier-one and tier-two help desk roles, which traditionally involve basic problem resolution and service delivery, are being automated. AI is already capable of handling password resets, troubleshooting, and software updates, cutting out the need for human intervention in many cases.
However, complex roles that deal with code corruption or unique technical problems will remain, as these issues require advanced human insight. Moreover, AI governance and regulatory expertise are becoming increasingly important as companies face scrutiny over AI’s role in security and data privacy.
As a result, professionals with skills in these areas will be more valuable as businesses look to navigate these emerging challenges.
Will AI replace developers or make them superhuman?
In software development, AI is redefining how code is written and maintained. Tools like GitHub Copilot, Tabnine, and OpenAI Codex are now widely adopted to assist developers by suggesting lines of code, fixing bugs, and automating routine reviews.
Such tools help developers focus more on strategic decision-making and creative problem-solving, rather than being bogged down by repetitive tasks.
Despite these automation advances, the demand for software developers is still strong. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 25% growth in software developer jobs between 2021 and 2031. Developers who embrace AI tools will be better positioned to thrive, as the industry will prioritize roles that involve defining program parameters and solving higher-level challenges that AI tools can’t handle alone.
Fighting fire with fire
AI is becoming a double-edged sword in cybersecurity. On one hand, it is automating threat detection, anomaly scanning, and incident responses, making manual oversight less necessary. On the other hand, it is opening new avenues for cybercriminals, who are using AI to launch increasingly sophisticated attacks.
This means cybersecurity professionals will be tasked with developing AI models that can predict and prevent complex threats. Additionally, a growing emphasis is being placed on AI ethics within the security sector. The need for experts to address bias, fairness, and transparency in AI systems is key to make sure of the ethical use of AI in cybersecurity.
Analysts will thrive
Data scientists and analysts are expected to see an uptick in demand, but their role is changing. As AI tools like AutoML and DataRobot automate data preparation, analysis, and model creation, data professionals will shift their focus towards interpreting AI-generated insights.
Data scientists need to make sure that AI models remain ethical and fair, particularly in sensitive industries like healthcare and finance.
These roles will require a deep understanding of specific industry contexts, as AI models need to be aligned with regulatory requirements and business goals. The ability to develop, validate, and refine these models, while adhering to compliance with ethical standards, will be highly sought after.
What you can do about it all
The role of the database administrator is going through a big change, with AI automating many of the routine tasks that previously required human oversight. Systems like Oracle Autonomous Database are now capable of self-patching, self-tuning, and managing much of the day-to-day database maintenance work, greatly reducing the need for hands-on human involvement.
As these autonomous systems take over, database professionals will need to specialize in big data management to stay relevant. The ability to handle and interpret large datasets will become an increasingly important skill as automation dominates the more routine aspects of database administration.
Human oversight still matters
AI has the potential to increase productivity across IT sectors, but it doesn’t eliminate the need for quality control. A case in point is the recent CrowdStrike incident, where an automated software update pushed out faulty code, causing system crashes on a global scale. It serves as a cautionary tale, human oversight is still key in managing AI-driven processes, especially in critical system updates.
AI systems are only as good as the data they’re trained on, and poor-quality or biased data can lead to disastrous outcomes. This explains the ongoing need for skilled professionals to review and refine AI outputs, making sure that they align with business goals and avoid unintended consequences.
What you need to know to stay relevant
Goldman Sachs predicts that AI could affect 300 million jobs globally, with two-thirds of U.S. jobs experiencing partial automation and 25% of current work tasks being fully automated. Administrative roles (46%) and legal professions (44%) are at the highest risk of automation, while jobs in physically intensive industries like construction (6%) and maintenance (4%) are less likely to be impacted.
Despite this disruption, AI is also expected to boost global GDP by 7%, offering new opportunities in emerging sectors. For IT professionals, the key challenge will be to stay adaptable, as roles that emphasize creativity, strategy, and critical thinking will remain in demand.
Soft skills are the key to surviving
As automation continues to reshape the workforce, companies that initially laid off employees are now realizing the importance of retaining those with soft skills and institutional knowledge. Soft skills such as leadership, communication, and collaboration are proving irreplaceable, as they cannot be replicated by AI tools.
Roles that demand critical thinking, creativity, and strategic decision-making, such as product development, business strategy, and leadership, are expected to stay relevant in the long term. New positions require nuanced judgment and an understanding of human behavior, both of which are outside the scope of AI capabilities.
GenAI is creating brand new jobs you’ve never heard of
As AI continues to evolve, it is generating entirely new job categories, particularly in AI integration. Traditional enterprise systems must be merged with new AI-driven tools, and this requires skilled technologists who understand both the old and the new technologies.
In addition, AI governance and regulatory knowledge will be highly sought after as organizations navigate the legal and ethical complexities of deploying AI systems in real-world environments. Modern roles will be instrumental in making sure that AI systems operate within legal frameworks and meet industry standards.
While the fear of mass job cuts looms, AI is more likely to increase worker productivity in the near term. When automating routine tasks, employees can focus on higher-value activities, leading to potential gains in output without necessarily reducing headcount.
Estimates of immediate job losses appear exaggerated, with many experts predicting that any significant reduction in the workforce will be delayed by two to three years. This timeline lets businesses refine and debug AI systems before widespread automation reshapes the job market.
The AI toolbox every developer needs to stay ahead
AI tools like GitHub Copilot, Tabnine, and OpenAI Codex are reshaping software engineering by automating repetitive coding tasks, debugging, and code review. New tools save countless hours of manual labor, helping developers to focus on more complex, creative projects.
Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman predicts that within the next two years, many developers will no longer code manually, as AI tools take over basic development tasks. Still, human oversight will remain necessary to manage AI processes and make sure of code quality, especially in large-scale projects.
Developers who use AI to improve their productivity, whether through faster debugging or proactive refactoring, will be highly valued in the workplace.
Employers are increasingly seeking candidates who not only possess traditional programming skills but are also comfortable with using AI to improve their workflows. Adaptability, learning, and upskilling will be key in making sure that developers and IT professionals thrive in an AI-enhanced market.
Key takeaways
AI is often seen as a threat to jobs, but it also presents enormous opportunities for growth and productivity. Boston Consulting Group’s chief economist Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak points out that jobs consist of many tasks, and while AI can automate some, it cannot replace the entirety of most roles.
AI’s ability to shift workers to more strategic functions, where human creativity and decision-making are paramount, is seen as a positive shift. Moreover, AI is expected to augment lower-skilled workers rather than replace them entirely, which opens up possibilities for a more productive, yet human-centered, workforce.
