Will AI Really Destroy Finance Jobs?


The rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has surprised almost everyone. Once notorious for providing underwhelming results amid high expectations, it has grown in prominence in recent years. As the capabilities of this innovative technology have become more and more visible, AI is being actively deployed in several businesses across sectors. And the financial industry is no exception. They have gradually come to acknowledge the true potential of AI as it can also help companies find candidates for finance jobs.

However, AI is more in the news as a disruptive innovation. Something that will disrupt the ecosystem of the job market. For people looking for finance as a career, AI is seen as a worrisome factor. After all, computers have beaten the best of human minds with ease. And people believe AI is also on the same course.

The not-so-good news
AI has many advantages over humans, though. They don't take a day off or get sick. It is also more productive and inexpensive compared to salaries for an entire team. Several predictions indicate that by the end of 2025, AI solutions, in its various forms, will help businesses save approx. $6trillion in employment expenses, boost productivity by approx. 30% and gain approx. $1.6 trillion in performance. Unsurprisingly, financial corporations are already exploring this technology.

The good news
However, many in the market believe AI will not displace all finance jobs in Australia. Investment fund managers like Aspect Capital, Winton Capital, and Two Sigma have collectively called the AI phenomenon as overhyped. And they will use it in a very limited manner. Some finance companies may rush to adopt this technology. But, most companies will be very cautious while implementing this technology. After all, finance is an extremely regulated sector. And it does not have any specific written laws for automation. Also, standards and procedures are not likely to transform overnight.

Automated systems, even with the robust security apparatus, are always susceptible to data frauds and thefts. In fact, customers - the bread and butter of the finance industry - will be averse to the idea of their services being outsourced to non-humans.

The fact, also to be noted, is that many finance companies do not actually have the means to program or build an AI machine. Many will rather adapt to sharing a single platform to meet some of their AI needs while continue to employ humans to fulfill their primary functional requirements.

The evolution of AI will surely generate many new types of jobs. But that doesn’t mean that humans will not be recruited. After all, you do need humans to maintain and program the huge systems. Companies need humans to look after servers that store huge amounts of data. Finance companies will need humans for accurate interpretation and decision making on the information received through AI. Where money matters, it's not safe to leave everything to a machine.

Computers have not taken humans out of the race as was thought out to be earlier. In fact, both can co-exist in new innovative ways today, unlike before. Finance matters are best understood by humans. And AI will only enhance finance jobs, not kill them.

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