AI-proof your future with these 3 skills — Father of AGI says ‘human jobs will become obsolete’

We are only two or three years away from AI replacing most human jobs.

Ben Goertzel, the father of AGI (artificial general intelligence), told Forbes that a fully independent, human-level AI exists and that he believes it is only 2-3 years away, making “the vast majority of human jobs obsolete.”

“Rapid engineering was the most important thing two years ago, but not now,” Goertzel said.

However, the artificial intelligence pioneer and computer scientist noted that this will not happen overnight, and that once an “AI breakthrough” occurs, there will be a transition period before it is fully rolled out and adopted at scale.

He added that this would be very similar to AI becoming mainstream over the years; With Generation AI in 2022, it took a while for organizations to fully adopt and implement it.

Which jobs are safe?

Ben Goertzel said that a few roles, such as educators and teachers, will remain unchanged and will not be affected by AGI because the human touch is critical.

AI-neutral skills for a better professional future

Ben Goertzel said skills are changing rapidly with the rise in AI adoption: “No one can accurately predict which jobs will come first, like lawyers and graphic artists becoming obsolete before plumbers, electricians or research mathematicians,” he told Forbes.

But according to Goertzel, there are at least three skills workers will need to be fully useful and relevant to the future of work before the “transition period”:

1. Building Strong Human Relationships

Assuming that when superintelligence arrives, it will be beneficial to our species, Goertzel said, “All that remains for us is ourselves, our own mind, body, friends, family and human relationships.”

He reiterated that teaching professions will leave the age of AI and artificial intelligence behind even in the advanced stages of AI.

He said that in the age of artificial intelligence, the ability to access the human connection or decision maker is most critical. In this case, Goertzel said it’s best to focus on developing skills such as:

• emotional intelligence
• rapport building
• Communication skills (all levels)
• active listening

2. Turning Ability

You need to be able to “turn around quickly and tap dance really fast,” Goertzel told Forbes. According to reports from Coursera and the World Economic Forum, adaptability and agility are among the most important skills needed by employers today.

• I learn new skills every month
• Invest in a skills development course at least once a year or get free training
• Keep up with industry news and think critically about how it may impact your business and organization

It is important to stay in touch with reality and be up to date, to change and adapt to be prepared for what awaits you next.

The father of AGI noted that for those who work in roles that can be performed by a computer smarter than you, you need to be willing and ready to move into a career where the human touch and connection is critical.

3. Be Comfortable With Yourself

Goertzel suggested that people need to get to a place where we enjoy ourselves, embrace the beauty around us, be fully present in the moment, and understand ourselves more intimately, so we can better connect with others beyond work areas.

Because in the end, it’s all about “Which jobs will stick around?” It’s not a matter of. but “What kind of person will you be in this new era?”