Is AI Destroying Our Jobs?

 The Wall Street Journal, recently reported that "The  way companies go about employment and hiring is  set for a shake up." The paper quoted a memo issued by the E-commerce software giant Shopify stating that "it will not bring aboard any new workers unless managers can prove artificial intelligence isn't able to do the same job."


The Journal quoted the Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke as saying :"Before asking for more Headcount and resources, teams must demonstrate why they cannot get what they want,done using AI."


The paper argued that many companies are experimenting with AI and how it can assist with productivity, but the new announcement shows just how far things can be taken in terms of replacing human workers.


A Reuters report said Facebook parent Meta laid off about 5 per cent of its "lowest performers" in January, while pushing ahead with the expedited hiring of  machine learnging  engineers.


Amazon has laid off employees several units, including communications, while Apple eliminated about 100 roles, in its digital services group last year, according to media reports. Microsoft also trimmed 650 jobs in its Xbox unit, last year.


The International Labour Organisation(ILO) 2024, Report titled "World Employment and Social Outlook" paints a complex picture of global labour market. While unemployment has seen some stabilization, persistent inequalities, especially among youth and women, remain a significant concern, according to the report.


The report projects a slight decrease in global umemployment to 4.9% in 2025, but the downward trend is expected to stabilize in 2025.


Some experts argue that AI is reshaping job market, not outright destroying it. The net impact depends on how societies invest in education and skilling, they point out. 


The key is adaptability--while some jobs vanish, others emerge, and many will evolve with AI as a tool, experts say. Preparing the work force for this shift is critical to mitigating negative effects.

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