AI vs. Your Job: How VR Can Help You Win?
GRAHAs VR Newsletter# 50
Autonomous Driving will reduce the no. of road accidents and overall fatalities due to driver negligence, traffic conditions etc. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 1.35 million people die in road accidents each year
But at the same time they replace the jobs of drivers. A study by US Dept. of Commerce estimates a rough 15.5 million jobs getting impacted directly or indirectly by autonomous vehicles.
These are two different statistical points at two ends of the spectrum of Automation. There are both merits and demerits to any technology and the same implies to the most disruptive and transformative ones in the last few decades, Gen AI as well.
While there are in numerous applications which can be solved and made better by Gen AI. One can't dismiss the fact, that there will be job loss and temporary job displacements due to the rapid growth in Gen AI.
The World Economic Forum predicts that AI will displace 85 million jobs globally by 2025 (source: WEF Future of Jobs Report 2020). Though, we have seen evolutionary change in jobs due to technological advancements over the years, we have never seen anything of this scale with each and every sector getting impacted. Artificial Intelligence will impact almost every facet of our waking and sleeping life along with our career. We have seen incremental advancements and evolutionary change over the years like how we transitioned from bullock carts to automobile and cars, but the rapid scale at which AI can accelerate innovation and create on its own is profound.
XR an Alternative for AI Job Loss
While this rapid technological disruption might sound a bit concerning, every new disruption and transformation will bring its own opportunities as well. It creates an opportunity for workers to adapt and thrive with the help of emerging technologies like Extended Reality (XR) combining Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) & Mixed Reality (MR).
VR is no longer just for gaming. It's revolutionizing how we learn and train for new skills, offering a powerful solution to bridge the skills gap and prepare for the future of work. PwC found that VR learners were 4 times faster to train than classroom learners and 275% more confident to apply skills learned after training. (PwC VR Training Study).
This is not just wishful thinking or speculation of how VR can transform learning new skills. We define a plan and roadmap of how some of the jobs displaced by AI can help workers transition to a newer role using VR, AR & MR.
Manufacturing & Production:
Example: A factory worker whose job is replaced by robotic arms can use VR to learn how to operate, maintain, and repair those robots. AR can provide real-time guidance during maintenance tasks, overlaying diagrams and instructions onto the actual equipment.
Job Categories: Robot technician, Automation Engineer, Quality Control Specialist, Industrial Designer.
Logistics & Transportation:
Example: A truck driver whose job is taken over by autonomous driving can train to become a drone pilot for deliveries, manage a fleet of autonomous vehicles, or work in logistics planning using VR simulations to learn new routes and optimize delivery schedules.
Job Categories: Drone Operator, Autonomous Vehicle Fleet Manager, Supply Chain Analyst, Logistics Co-Ordinator.
Customer Service & Retail:
Example: Cashiers replaced by automated checkout systems can use VR to learn customer service skills for online platforms or train for roles in personalized shopping assistance using AR applications to guide customers and provide product information.
Job Categories: Online Customer Support Specialist, Personal Shopper, Customer Experience Designer, E-Commerce Manager.
Healthcare:
Example: Medical records clerks whose tasks are automated can use VR to train for roles as home healthcare assistants, providing virtual companionship and support to patients. AR can assist with medication reminders and provide real-time guidance during in-home care tasks.
Job Categories: Home health Aide, Tele Health Co Ordinator, Patient Advocate, Remote Patient Monitoring Specialist.
Construction & Architecture:
Example: Construction workers can use VR to learn how to operate new machinery, practice building techniques in a safe environment, and visualize construction plans in 3D. AR can overlay blueprints and models onto real-world sites, improving accuracy and efficiency.
Job Categories: Construction technologist, BIM (Building Information Modelling) Specialist, Drone Surveyor, Site Supervisor.
The benefits go beyond reskilling. VR creates new job opportunities in content creation, development, and support. It makes training accessible to remote areas and adapts to individual learning styles. It even allows people to "try on" different careers before committing to a new path.
75% of Forbes World's Most Valuable Brands have invested in AR/VR (source: Virtual Speech VR Stats)
The global virtual reality (VR) market size was valued at USD 25.11 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 32.64 billion in 2024 to USD 244.84 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 28.6% during the forecast period (2024-2032) (Source: Fortune Business Insights Report)
While Artificial Intelligence is no longer privy to job displacement, it's also inevitable given the profound progress it brings about. So, the onus is on us to be self equipped and upskill one self across the organization to combat an AI centric world using the alternative emerging technologies like VR / AR.
Humane-AI Transition Policy:
It may not be a far fetched idea for the organizations to implement some kind of Humane-AI Transition Policy, wherein all the jobs displaced by AI will pave way for newer job roles and employees interested can opt in for the same and the organization can facilitate the upskilling and reskilling for these new roles using XR - VR / AR / MR. This could facilitate a natural transition between different roles and still adopt disruptive technologies like AI, while maintaining employee morale and satisfaction.
If you feel you can elaborate more on the kind of jobs that will be displaced and want to address them, please mention them in the comments and happy to discuss how VR / AR can enable the transition.
Contact GRAHAs VR to learn how we can help you reskill and upskill your employees for the age of AI.
Download our GRAHAs VR Case Study detailing the benefits of few of our upskilling and reskilling initiatives.
Let us combat Technology with Technology !!!