‘Local temple priests, classical musicians’: Sridhar Vembu on jobs that will remain unaffected by AI
Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu on Friday commented on the traditional jobs that drive the world and how AI could impact them.
In a post on X, Vembu said AI could challenge self-worth in some cases.
“If our sense of self-worth derives from the economic value we add or our intellectual assertiveness (*cough*), AI could pose a serious challenge to our self-worth [sic]” he wrote.
Zoho’s co-founder listed human activities that don’t make good money, but people still do. He argued that such jobs would not be affected by artificial intelligence.
“On the other hand, no one does activities such as caring for children, teaching children, caring for the elderly, leaving a well-paying job to return to farming, going to the forest as a ranger because they love the forest, local temple priests performing daily rituals even if no one comes to the temple, classical musicians practicing every day and performing even for very small crowds—none of them do this because these activities pay well,” he wrote.
“They will not be affected by artificial intelligence. Humanity can organize itself more towards such activities,” Vembu added.
Netizens discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on business
Vembu’s post sparked a serious debate about X as netizens debated what the future of work might look like.
“The world is not perfect. Just look around you and you will see how many things can be done better. Cities can be rebuilt. New jobs will solve new problems for humanity that we have to live with because there are no alternatives or they are expensive.” [sic]” one person wrote.
Another commented that AI will help humans expand their wisdom. “While AI will help humanity do more philosophical work by expanding the wisdom gained from knowledge generated by AI and non-AI sources, the means of transforming knowledge into knowledge will be left to AI and the mundane tasks to physical AI. [sic].”
A third person commented on how AI could pose a challenge when it surpasses human intelligence. “Thanks to our intelligence, we have managed to be at the top of the food chain. We have created a partner that no longer sleeps. Once it surpasses humans in productivity, we are no longer at the top of the food chain. We work for the machines.” [sic]” this person shared.
The impact of artificial intelligence on business
Last year, thousands of jobs disappeared around the world as companies like Amazon attributed layoffs to the adoption of artificial intelligence. Many companies are replacing mundane daily tasks with artificial intelligence.
On Thursday, the Jack Dorsey-led Block announced mass layoffs, laying off 40% of its employees, or more than 4,000. Dorsey attributed this to the use of technology as Block continues to make major AI investments.
Experts also warned about the imminent challenges that AI could pose for employment.
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon recently warned that the government must begin preparing to handle the workforce disruption that AI could bring.
“I don’t guess [it] There may be a problem. I’m just saying, if it is, it’s time to start thinking about what you’re going to do,” Dimon said.
