"AI, When Will You Finally Do My Laundry?"
Plumbers, carpenters, hairdressers, and janitors can breathe easy: they are much safer from AI taking over their jobs than we've been led to believe. Instead, AI is after white-collar jobs!
"When will AI finally do real useful things like ironing the laundry or cleaning the bathroom?” students at the Vienna Business School ask me during our “Creative AI Business Model Workshops” when I interview them about their expectations for the future of AI technology. Good question! We’ve all been waiting with bated breath for that glorious day when AI will liberate us from the drudgery of dirty dishes and endless piles of laundry. Wasn’t that exactly what science fiction from the 1960s promised us? That AI would take over our chores so we, as human beings, would have more time to be creative and empathetic? More than 60 years on it's still not a thing. And spoiler alert: it’s not happening anytime soon either.
Manual Labor Safe: AI's Not Ready to Replace The Local Handyman.
Let’s clear the air— Many people still love to spread the myth that AI will first replace blue-collar jobs. But this sticky myth is about as reliable as a wet paper towel. That’s not what’s happening! Contrary to science-fiction fantasies, AI isn't swooping in to replace plumbers, builders, carpenters or hair dressers anytime soon. They’re as safe as houses. Literally.
Fixing a leaky pipe requires a whole lot of practical know-how and tactile skills—traits that AI, with all its silicon-based smarts, finds very hard to replicate. Ever seen a robot plumber? Sure, it sounds like a brilliant idea, but reality hits harder than a leaky faucet. There are way too many uncertainties lurking down in the abyss that AI isn't quite ready to handle.
And sure, I heard about the U.S. military using hair-cutting robots, but let's face it—most of us aren't quite ready to pull off the SEALs' signature shaved-head style.
The real casualties here: AI’s gunning for your desk job! Not even the CEO is safe.
But let's talk about the real casualties here: knowledge workers. Yes, those desk-bound warriors churning out code, crunching numbers, and analyzing data. The white-collar realm is where AI truly flexes its muscles. Need a bug-free code? An AI’s got you covered. Data analysis at lightning speed? No sweat for the machine.
AI might even replace the CEO before it lays off the janitor! Many CEOs tell me they are not taking the shots and making decisions at the companies they supposedly lead anyways, so why not replace them with algorithms, right?
AI poised to transform legal landscape?
It's not far-fetched to see AI mastering complex legal briefs or effortlessly drafting contracts, promising to better the lives of lawyers and legal professionals. Picture a legal researcher spared from endless hours sifting through case law. It could enhance lawyer-client relationships and lead to better results. The possibilities are intriguing, if not a little daunting for those of us in the knowledge economy.
AI in Construction: Dream Homes or Nightmare Blocks?
Let's not forget those who stubbornly believe AI will soon be remodelling houses like it's a walk in the park. Clearly, these visionaries have never swung a hammer or dealt with the myriad uncertainties that come with construction. Unless we're aiming to recreate the charm of East Germany's Plattenbauten—those architectural wonders that could win awards for the most soul-crushing designs ever conceived—construction isn't going to be as standardised and AI-ready as some might hope. Because who would want their dream home to resemble a concrete block that can make even the most optimistic soul weep?
AI's Laundry Dilemma: Separating Hype from Reality.
AI won’t fold your laundry, but it might outsmart office jobs. So next time you hear someone lamenting the imminent AI takeover of manual labor, give them a pat on the back and tell them to relax. The plumber who unclogs your drain and the laundry shop are safe, for now. But if you're a programmer, data analyst, or any kind of knowledge worker, maybe start brushing up on your human skills instead of acting like a robot yourself. THAT will make you irreplaceable.
And while we wait for AI to finally figure out how to do the laundry, let’s enjoy the irony. The future isn’t about robots replacing our handy neighbours; it’s about them replacing the people who thought they were irreplaceable. The CEO might be fired before the janitor.
Image created by Ursula Eysin via Modjourney
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