As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to develop and impact several industries at an unprecedented rate, the impact on jobs remains as a top concern among workers.
“AI will have indeed have a direct impact on the job market,” Arda Atalay, Regional Director, LinkedIn Talent Solutions, MENA said in an exclusive interview with Arabian Business.
However, he advises to “acknowledge your AI worries,” and assures that “It’s okay to feel a little nervous or overwhelmed with new technology.”
According to LinkedIn’s latest data, job posts mentioning AI has risen drastically, “almost quintupled (4.9x) in the UAE. The platform recognises this as the highest growth rate seen across key markets globally.
He attributes this surge to a combination of ambitious government initiatives outlined in the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence and a keen awareness among employers of AI’s transformative potential.
“Half of the hiring managers in the UAE and KSA say that their organisations intend to prepare their workforce for the era of Generative AI by upskilling their workforce through online training and development programmes,” Atalay said.
AI’s job impact
While concerns about AI displacing human jobs linger, Atalay emphasises AI’s role in creating new opportunities rather than causing mass unemployment. He advocates for a proactive approach, urging professionals to embrace lifelong learning and adaptability.
Over 98 percent of UAE professionals revealed the excitement to use AI technology in their work.
“Professionals also plan to use AI to say goodbye to boring work tasks and to assist them in answering questions they are too embarrassed to ask their colleagues,” Atalay said.
Current jobs are expected to face a whopping 65 percent of change in the skill sets needed for the same role as compared to the pre-AI era.
Most UAE workers believe that there are certain industries that are in the line to be most impacted by the AI revolution as compared to others – Finance, Architecture, Engineering and Legal.
Moreover, professionals in the region revealed optimism about the benefit AI in potentially boosting career aspects, over 97 percent of UAE workers believe that AI will help their career progression.
“This enthusiasm is reflected in the substantial rise in AI-related conversations on LinkedIn, with many members already including AI skills in their profiles,” Atalay said.
As HR departments become pivotal in navigating workforce transformations, Atalay highlights AI’s role in empowering HR professionals to drive strategic initiatives. From sourcing top talent to personalising outreach and facilitating internal mobility, AI tools are revolutionising HR practices.
“Some recruiters have already been actively using AI in their day to day work. 85 percent of recruiters in the UAE and KSA believe that AI can make the hiring process smoother and more efficient for the two parties involved,” Atalay explained.
According to Atalay, there are a few tips for UAE professionals looking to harness the potential of AI:
- Learn the lingo: Having the language to talk about and understand AI will put you ahead of the curve.
- Embrace the experts and tap into your network: Reach out to your network to share learnings and stay up to speed on AI by following thought leaders and subject matter experts.
- Sharpen up your soft skills: Don’t underestimate the value of highlighting your soft skills in a world being reshaped by AI.
- Take advantage of existing tools.
- Acknowledge your AI worries.
“For professionals in the UAE, there is a distinct opportunity to leverage AI-driven learning tools to refine their learning and development journeys,” Atalay concluded.
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