In recent years, there has been a lot of worry about how technology could impact employment, particularly the fear that jobs could become obsolete. While it would appear there is a reason for concern – for example, The Guardian recently reported that 1 in 3 warehouse jobs could be lost to automation – it seems the rise in tech could actually benefit the workforce.
A 2017 study found that while AI had eliminated 800,000 jobs, it has subsequently created another 3.5 million. With that in mind, here are 5 jobs that exist as a direct result of innovations in tech.
App Developer
Today, smartphones are essential to the running our modern lives, with apps providing a fast and convenient way to interact with friends, make a payment, etc. However, apps are a relatively recent development – it only in 2008 that Apple released their App Store, while Google Play for Android only launched in 2012. Subsequently, the rise of apps and a boom in the digital economy has led to the creation of the ‘App Developer’.
Cloud Architects
While computer programmers and software development roles have been around for decades, cloud-based jobs have only existed for a little over 10 years – in fact, ‘cloud computing’ was a term first heard in 2006 at a Google conference. This has resulted in the creation of a new role, cloud architects, with individuals who are responsible for overseeing a company’s cloud computing strategy.
Data Scientist
This is an occupation that requires a knowledge of programming, statistics, software engineering and machine learning. While the role of data scientist has been around for some time, demand has increased as a direct response to the rise in tech and the growth of big data. As such, this is
a career path that is predicted to benefit as more businesses utilize AI.
Drone Operators
Drones have been around for many years, yet commercial opportunities are only just beginning to be explored. This includes logistics firms utilizing drones to provide faster last mile delivery services, as well as the potential for providing lifesaving assistance to health and rescue services. While some of these developments are currently restricted by drone laws, the number of drone operator jobs is expected to increase.
Social Media Manager
Social media is a major part of our everyday lives, yet Facebook was only founded in 2004, while Instagram arrived in 2010. However, social media has grown rapidly, with the number of global users surpassing 2.5 billion in 2018. Now an essential part of digital marketing strategies, social media plays an important role in engaging with customers and creating brand awareness.
Want to know more about how tech will continue to change the job market? Read about these future jobs.