Gen AI won’t take your job away. Here’s why

Adapting to the rapid rise of AI agents might seem daunting, but consider why older workers with deep domain expertise actually hold a unique advantage in this new technological era.Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore’s social issues of the day with guests.Ten years ago, the message to the workforce was: “Learn to code.” Today, the mandate has shifted to learning AI and prompting chatbots. But as the goalposts move again toward autonomous AI agents that can take over complex workflows, is the Singaporean workforce ready?In this episode, assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong explores the realities of the AI transition with her guests: Laurence Liew, director of AI innovation at AI Singapore, and Koh Chee Kiong, deputy CEO of WizVision. The 66-year-old recently took up a course in Gen AI and uses AI agents at work.The discussion delved into why older workers with deep domain experience actually have a unique advantage, how to fix the broken rung for fresh graduates entering an AI-assisted corporate world, and why adopting AI is much less daunting, and much more conversational, than you might think.Highlights (click/tap above):2:04 Why workers have a bigger advantage over fresh graduates with Gen AIs8:05 Gen AI understands broken English9:53 How young professionals can build industry judgment if AI automates entry-level work17:39 AI has been implemented since decades ago, and will continue to be deeply integrated in work flows by 203521:12 Debunking the plumber myth: Why blue-collar jobs aren’t AI-proofRead ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sHHost: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg)Produced and edited by: Hadyu RahimExecutive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda HongFollow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:Channel: https://str.sg/w7QtApple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukbSpotify: https://str.sg/w7sVFeedback to: podcast@sph.com.sgSPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg---Follow more ST podcast channels:All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcastsThe Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast---Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:The App Store: https://str.sg/icyBGoogle Play: https://str.sg/icyX---#inyouropinionSource: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproductionDiscover how to enjoy other premium articles here