By Sylvie Stone
We live in an era where technological change and economic disruption is rife. Born between 1980 and 2000, millennials are the largest generation in our time. They are true digital natives who are inclined to the latest technological trends. Millennials confront unique challenges with the development of AI that baby boomers and Gen Xers aren’t exposed to.
While some are excited by the opportunities that the AI revolution will create there is also a pessimistic school of thought. However, both groups agree that AI will transform livelihoods with its wide array of applications from the rise of intelligent assistants, automation of routine tasks to complex decision making.
How Will AI Impact Education and Careers?
Millennials may be better educated and more exposed, but in today’s dynamic world this doesn’t guarantee success. Many if not all will be forced to learn new skills in their lifetime or even take on new careers. While formal education remains the primary source of knowledge, we need to rethink our educational systems to equip millennials and succeeding generations with new skills and tools for a new way of life, work and play.
AI technologies create new jobs in 80% of organizations where they are implemented. The Gartner report estimates that AI will create half a million more jobs than it will replace in the next three years providing a host of job opportunities to skilled millennials.
Why Should Millennials Embrace AI?
Millennials are the primary workforce and the largest consumer group. It is estimated that a third of millennials understand AI and have had some experience with it. This is significantly higher compared to older generations. Compared to other age groups millennials engage more with messenger bots such as Siri and Alexa. Bots today customize our internet searches and product recommendations based on our user history.
AI presents millennials with more exciting opportunities to deliver extraordinary value in all spheres of life. This technology will enable them to be more efficient and productive than previous generations. Jobs and roles will continue to be redefined as the technology evolves. They will be less repetitive with a majority of them being senior level.
In this golden age of technology, it is imperative that companies are quick to adopt new technologies and mindsets lest they are out-competed by their more agile competitors. This is more the reason why millennials must embrace AI and emerging technologies.
AI now and in the future
AI is at its tipping point where it continues to be successfully applied to a wide array of real-life problems. This coincides with millennials being at their prime and with their affinity for all things technology presenting an opportune moment for the development and implementation of AI.
Talk of government, manufacturing, service; AI will permeate all spheres of life. Millennials will play a key role in the development and application of this technology.
