How Technology is Impacting All Professions

Technology has impacted every sector, so it’s no wonder it’s impacted the workforce. Every day, employees use technology. The types of technologies they use may vary by industry and profession, but every single person within an organization uses technology to some degree. Is this good or bad? Is technology changing how we work?

Simply put, technology has changed how we work and will continue to do so. Jobs evolve thanks to technology, but technology has also harmed human labor. Many people are often left wondering whether robots will one day replace them. 

We know technology impacts jobs, but how does it do it? Whether you have a nursing specialty or a degree in business, you’re impacted by tech. Here’s how: 

Digital Skills Requirements

As we’ve mentioned, all jobs require technology, which means every employee needs digital skills. Currently, all US jobs require substantial technological know-how. Additionally, millions of the jobs created have required high-level digital skills. 

Jobs Eliminated

With the rise of technological advancements comes the rise of unemployment. Certain jobs will be eliminated due to automation and artificial intelligence (AI). The elimination of jobs will force workers to face unemployment as it becomes difficult to find jobs matching their skill sets, which could cause further income inequality worldwide. However, while some jobs will be eliminated, some will be shifted. Ultimately, many of our current technologies must work alongside humans; technology can’t do everything independently (yet). 

Therefore, we expect the nature of work to shift as automation and AI are introduced to more industries and become more worthwhile for small companies to invest in. For example, companies have already started investing in self-driving trucks, leaving truck drivers to wonder if they’re out of a job. However, this won’t be the case, as self-driving trucks still require a human inside to ensure everything runs smoothly. Even though a human is not driving fully-autonomous vehicles, some situations require a human touch. For example, if the truck breaks down, only a human can fix it. If the truck is in an accident, a human must report it. Additionally, even highly automated trucks require human intervention depending on road conditions. 

So should you be worried about losing your job due to technology? Maybe, but probably not as much as you are. Instead, it’s more likely the nature of your work will change, and you’ll have to learn how to monitor and control various technologies to help you automate some functions of your job. 

New Jobs Created

The rise of the digital revolution has created new jobs worldwide and enhanced existing roles. For example, 20 years ago, they never would have thought that influencer marketing jobs would exist for regular people. Now, anyone can become an instant celebrity and well-respected thought leader. However, it’s not just exclusively digital jobs that have appeared. Jobs that have existed for decades have been enhanced through technology, allowing office workers to work remotely. 

Job Quality

It’s hard to find someone who says they enjoy repetitive work processes. Most people like to be engaged at work, and tasks they can do with their brains turned off are boring and can make them resent their jobs. After all, they could be doing something they enjoy. With automation and various tools, we expect a change in job quality, allowing employees to focus on more engaging tasks instead of tedious ones. 

Finding Work 

Technology doesn’t just improve work; it can help you find a job. Talent platforms match workers with jobs to create a more efficient and effective system for employees and employers. Additionally, more people can join the workforce with the option of more flexible work due to technology. For example, more mothers can work from home thanks to remote and flexible work environments. 

Online talent platforms have algorithms that pair applicants with jobs based on skills and keywords to fill open positions worldwide. Of course, this software isn’t perfect and still requires human intervention, but it can help reduce the time it takes to fill open positions, saving companies money. 

Challenges of Technology in the Workplace

We’ve already mentioned a few potential challenges of how technology affects jobs — it can eliminate them. In the short-term, technology will replace some workers and make it challenging for those individuals to get jobs in the future. This issue will primarily affect older workers due to age discrimination and factors like not having the same experience with technology as younger generations. Additional challenges include:

Learning New Skills

Technology improves and advances every year, which means even skilled workers will have to continuously learn more skills. Employers will be responsible for training their employees, but unfortunately, some won’t, leaving workers behind as technology evolves. 

Bias

Technology introduces a new and different level of bias into the equation, especially when it’s used to screen applicants. For example, this technology can create age bias and eliminate more qualified candidates based on keywords on their applications. Many companies are already using this technology, but you can’t guarantee that it’s more effective than a manager knowing exactly what to look for in an employee. 

Digital Divide

Not everyone has access to reliable internet or the resources to learn about various technologies. Since education is so important, some may be left out of the digital transformation, leaving them unable to get jobs. Lower-income and rural workers are most at risk of not developing the skills they need to advance in the digital workplace. 

Final Thoughts

It’s not just the workers who will be impacted by technological advances; employers will be responsible for staying up to date-and implementing new technologies to stay competitive. Anyone who doesn’t will fall behind, and unfortunately, the technology requires a significant investment some small businesses simply can’t afford. 

So will technology continue to impact all professions? Yes, but how it does this depends on various factors like the workers, employers, and technologies implemented. Some jobs will indeed be eliminated, but technology can fuel the workforce by creating new jobs for future generations.

For more insightful articles and actionable tips about finance and business, check out Capital for Business’ The Working Capital and Financing Blog.

Did you enjoy this article? Here’s more to read: Can I Get a Short Term Business Loan with Bad Credit?

 

Ashley Nielsen

Ashley Nielsen earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration Marketing at Point Loma Nazarene University. She is a freelance writer who loves to share knowledge about general business, marketing, lifestyle, wellness, and financial tips. During her free time, she enjoys being outside, staying active, reading a book, or diving deep into her favorite music. 

 

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