As AI companies grow in value and usage, the debate continues about AI replacing human jobs. Studies indicate that jobs with mostly automatable tasks will be affected, but some analysts believe AI might create jobs, with displacement being temporary.
David Shim, CEO of Read AI, shared at TechCrunch’s Web Summit Qatar that despite AI tool advancements, humans will ultimately make decisions, comparing AI to using a map while driving. Shim emphasized human involvement, stating that while jobs will become easier, humans will still guide decisions.
Shim acknowledged AI’s impact on jobs, highlighting that advertising agencies may shift to automation, but roles will persist to oversee the process. Abdullah Asiri, founder of Lucidya, argued AI would replace tasks, not roles, suggesting AI allows customer support agents to adopt new responsibilities like supervision and business development.
Shim noted AI notetakers free humans from manual note-taking, allowing them to focus on tasks needing more context and quicker decisions. Tech companies like Read AI and Lucidya aim for lean teams using AI tools to boost productivity. Read AI uses a small customer service team to serve millions, leveraging AI for efficiency. Its technology helps evaluate deals, capturing more context with each update. Lucidya employs AI tools for meetings and marketing, aiming to scale outcomes without increasing headcount.
Asiri highlighted the need for AI-native hires, acknowledging the growing development of such skills. He noted that those building agents to assist with tasks are in demand.
Handling AI perceptions, Shim mentioned increased acceptance of AI notetakers, provided there are controls for recording. Asiri said Lucidya discloses AI usage to users, focusing on issue resolution. Customers prioritize fast, accurate solutions, regardless of whether AI or humans provide them.