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August 21, 2024

How Will AI Affect Jobs in Canada

Global reliance on technology has increased as our daily activities moved online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Artificial intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of the technologies being adopted.

Both the risks and opportunities that AI poses to the future of work deserve a closer look. This tech shift has been met with mixed emotions, whether pessimistic or optimistic.

Impact of AI on the Canadian Job Market

Based on the research, the impact of AI on employment in Canada is a topic of concern.

  • 20% of Canadian jobs are at high risk due to automation and technology, including AI, but these numbers are projected to decline over time.
  • 47% of Canadians expect AI to have a very positive impact in the next 5 years

While there is a risk of automation affecting employment in Canada, it is unlikely that occupations highly susceptible to automation will be completely replaced by smart machines in the next few years. The Canadian labor force is diversified, with industries at low risk of automation employing a significant portion of the workforce, indicating adaptability to technological changes. Occupations requiring abstract, complex decision-making skills are less likely to be automated, with a potential increase in demand for such skills in the near and medium term. Organized labor in Canada is attentive to the impacts of automation, emphasizing the importance of a human-centered work environment and the need for strategic interventions to combat precarious work and job loss.

New technology has rarely led to fewer jobs — though it has impacted various types of work that have disappeared over time.

When tech eliminates old ways of doing things — like data entry — it creates new opportunities.

AI has the potential to usher in a new era of proficiency to create value for society, but how Canada supports workers is critical.  To mitigate workforce disruption from AI’s rise, we must invest in skills and education to help ensure a smooth transition to an AI-enabled future. The Canadian government recently announced more than $2 billion for an enhanced AI strategy — to boost productivity and build artificial intelligence capacity.

Skill Evolution 2023-2027

AI resulted in the growing significance of cognitive skills in the workplace. Complex problem-solving skills and creative thinking are reported to be increasing in importance at a rapid rate. Technology literacy is identified as the third-fastest-growing core skill. Self-efficacy skills are reported to rank higher than working with others. This emphasizes the increasing value placed on individuals' belief in their own abilities and complements the growing reality of hybrid, remote, and asynchronistic work we are in seeing in Canada.

Lifelong learning is seen as growing in importance. This is followed by resilience, flexibility, and agility, as well as motivation and self-awareness. These findings demonstrate that businesses prioritize workers who possess resilience, a willingness to learn throughout their lives, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Lifelong learning is particularly emphasized as skills have a shorter lifespan in today's dynamic environment.

There is an increasing demand for individuals who can think holistically, utilize AI and big data effectively, manage talent, and provide excellent service to customers.

Will AI Reduce Employment in Canada in The Near Future? 

Artificial intelligence is seen as having both positive and negative implications for our work environment.

Perhaps the most common fear is that AI will replace humans in performing cognitive tasks and displace people from their jobs. Automation is indeed a significant risk for Canadian workers; about 40 percent of people are working in jobs at medium risk of automation, while 20 percent are in jobs at high risk. At the same time, AI presents a number of opportunities to drive new economic efficiencies within and across sectors, complement human intelligence, and even create new jobs.

AI’s potential should not be confused with its impact; the former can be directed, and the latter is far from inevitable. What is sure is that AI is now – and will continue – to disrupt the world of work. With this prediction comes a realization that there will likely be a need for more hybrid skill sets that combine AI skills with other types of abilities. AI platforms can also become a tool for continuous learning by revealing correlations between production needs and worker training opportunities. Ensuring that technology-driven change benefits workers as well as employers will require new approaches and new thinking.

Final Thoughts

Future accounting jobs will require dedicated professionals ready to evolve alongside the industry. Don’t let yourself be left behind — learn more about how you can gain the skills that can bring your career to the next level by enrolling with Get Trained Get Hired. If you need any assistance in preparing your resume or you need more specific interview guidelines that best suit your personal requirements to have a breakthrough in the Canadian job market reach out to Gettrainedgethired.com to book a free 30-Minute career counseling meeting. At Gettrainedgethired.com we provide you with the necessary training to learn practical skills to become an accountant. Our training is based on practical real-life cases.  After the training, we work on your resume and try to place you in accounting firms through our network. You will also get access to like-minded individuals who are looking for jobs through our WhatsApp group. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. Or call us at 647-275-7150

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is intended to provide general information. The information does not consider your situation and is not intended to be used without consultation from professionals. Salman Randhawa and Gettrainedgethired.com will not be held liable for any problems that arise from the usage of the information provided on this page.

Author

Salman Rundhawa

Salman has a strong desire to help others succeed and believe in passing on the knowledge. He likes to mentor others and wish to play part in other people success.
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