The deeper I dive into the world of Artificial Intelligence, the more I discover normally rational individuals who fear AI. Some even loathe it and believe it will replace the human workers and create a dystopian society ...
However, I really don't see AI as a threat, but rather a tool to support our progress and enhance our lives. With its ability to process vast amounts of data and perform complex tasks, it has the potential to revolutionise industries and drive economic growth.
It is essential to understand that AI is not our replacement!
It is designed to augment our capabilities and assist us in making better decisions. In industries such as healthcare, AI can analyse medical data and assist doctors in making accurate diagnoses and treatment plans. This not only saves time, but also improves patient outcomes. Similarly, in the financial sector, AI can analyse market trends and assist in making informed investment decisions.
This shows that AI is not meant to replace human expertise, but rather enhance it beyond our own capabilities. There are situations where I agree that the fear of AI taking over jobs is not entirely unfounded. In the coming years, certain industries will become more and more automated, leading to a decrease in the demand for human workers.
However, this does not mean that jobs will disappear entirely. Instead, there will be a shift in the job market, with a growing demand for workers with skills in emerging technologies such as in renewable energy or even AI itself. Therefore, individuals must acquire new skills to adapt to the changing job market.
What jobs will be affected the most?
Warehousing - advances in robotics mean better organisation and quicker fulfilment
Manufacturing - entire production lines will be automated
Delivery networks - self-driving delivery vehicles and even aerial delivery by drone
Farming - with the introduction of drones and other automated machinery
And I'm sure there are many more!
The retail industry is already seeing this change thanks to the pandemic and ever-increasing bricks-and-mortar costs and the growth of online shopping has been phenomenal over the past few years.
Now, the food industry is in on the game with robotic delivery of takeaways and small food purchases from superstores. We all love to see those cute little wheeled robots trundling around, but yes, they did replace a human.
However, it is not all doom and gloom in the workforce!
The rise of AI will also create new job opportunities in industries that are yet to be fully explored. For example, the development and maintenance of AI systems will require a skilled workforce. This presents an opportunity for individuals to upskill and enter a new and exciting field. Additionally, as AI technology becomes more prevalent, new industries will emerge, creating a demand for workers with specialised skills.
This shows that while some jobs may become automated, there will also be a need for a growing workforce in other industries. I don't feel there is anything to worry about for the majority of workers, as long as they're prepared to reskill themselves. As time goes by though, old-school manual tasks may go the way of the dinosaurs as robotics becomes more precise and efficient.
There will always be a demand for artisans and masters of their craft!
Productivity will boom as businesses begin to incorporate AI into their workflows. AI can perform tasks at a much faster rate and with greater accuracy than humans, freeing up time for employees to focus on more complex and creative tasks. This is already happening for more general computer-based workflows with the introduction of Microsoft Copilot.
This will not only lead to a more efficient workforce, but also drive business growth and economic prosperity. In fact, I read a recent report by PwC which estimated that AI could contribute more than £200 billion to the UK economy by 2030. No wonder the Government wants to turn the UK into the spiritual home of Artificial Intelligence.
In the scientific community, AI is analysing vast amounts of satellite data to help us create better weather models, build lighter and stronger materials, and create more efficient green ways of working. However, artificial intelligence can also help businesses make better decisions by analysing vast amounts of 'big data' to provide valuable insights.
This will lead to improved customer experiences, better product development, and more effective marketing strategies!
AI is not something to be feared, but rather embraced. I really do believe we'll end up with a world that reminds us of Bicentennial Man, which is one of my favourite Robin Williams films, and I recommend it to everyone. With the right approach, we can harness the power of AI to drive economic growth, create new job opportunities, and improve our lives.
Let's embrace the advancements in AI and use it as a tool to support our potential, not replace it.
If anything in this blog post resonates with you and you'd like to discover more of my thoughts around Artificial Intelligence and how it's here to support us rather than replace us, it would be great to hear from you. It's always nice to speak to those with similar passions.
Based in the charming village of Hanslope in Buckinghamshire, UK, I bring over 30 years of experience in web development. From creating my first website for the Open University in 1993, through being part of the dot com boom, to my explorations in SaaS and AI over the last few years, my journey has been a rich tapestry of web projects, big and small, both funded and bootstrapped.
Originally developed during the pandemic, at the start of 2025, I released the next iteration of YourPCM, version 2, which is all about 'Easy Contact Management for Small Business Owners'. Is it a CRM? Yes, but I don't call it that because people glaze over at the mention of such things. CRMs are boring, difficult to get to grips with, and it's a nightmare to get help when you need it.
YourPCM is none of those things! It's simple to use, well-supported, feature rich and beautiful, right out of the box. It's available on a simple monthly subscription with no long-term tie-in. Book a demo or grab your own 14-working-day free trial and discover why YourPCM is all about easy contact management for small business owners.
My head is in the cloud, my heart belongs to the web, and my soul is filled with such beautiful code 💗
In the business world, networking is often the lifeblood that drives growth, partnerships, and innovation. For SaaS founders particularly, striking the right balance between cost-effective virtual networking and face-to-face ...
Well, I did plan on having a few months without coding, but finances told me otherwise. The cost of living crisis is getting out of hand, so I decided to do what I'm good at and create something new which I know people will s...
As artificial intelligence advances, the urgency for comprehensive human oversight in governing autonomous weapons systems (AWS) grows. Without regulation, the potential dangers may severely eclipse the bene...
As the dire consequences of climate change become increasingly apparent, industries across the globe are grappling with the urgent need for sustainability ......
The notion of a fully automated business has sparked both excitement and apprehension across various sectors. In essence, a fully automated business replaces human involvement in operations with advanced technology, such ...
After a solid year of coding, creating YourPCM v2 from the ground up, I really enjoyed taking my foot off the gas over the festive season, but I wasn't completely absent, as I was monitoring my servers and ensuring my subs...
Way back in the summer of 2004, I was lodging with a friend and came home from a work meeting to find a very young black cat sitting on the sofa. My friend said he'd jumped in the open window a few hours earlier, and simply w...
I've spent the last 6 months rebuilding YourPCM from the ground up. Version 2 is beautiful; it's smaller, faster and better in every way than what I had before. So it's finished, my subscribers are using it, and new small b...
People who meet me in Northampton and Milton Keynes are always saying that I seem to know everyone who goes out networking for their business. It's n ...
Few events are as nerve-wracking as encountering unexpected tax demands following a purchase. The case of a £6.6 million property bought by pharmacist ...
Did you know that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for 99.9% of the businesses in the UK? At the start of 2023, there were estimated ...
If you have any doubts about doing your bookkeeping and accounts or maybe you've started a new business this year and don't know where to start? There ...