If you’re a London business owner, you’re no doubt feeling the pressure to adopt some form of AI (if you haven’t already) and start using it in your business. After all, it’s supposed to make your life easier, right?
The increased usage of AI for business tasks has made finding a job harder than ever for newcomers and recent graduates, with entry-level jobs now only accounting for around 25% of the market in the UK. After all, why pay someone to carry out a task if AI can do it in half the time? Well… it’s not quite that simple.
AI is far from being a fad, and can offer all-sorts of process improvements, but it’s in danger of becoming a buzzword rather than technology to be used thoughtfully and with intention.
There are lots of long-term advantages to hiring entry-level employees, and these should at least be considered before you go ahead and run the latest version of ChatGPT.
What are entry-level roles?
An entry-level job is just that – it’s the level at which someone can enter the job market, so it usually requires minimal work experience and/or qualifications.
Entry-level positions tend to be the most junior roles in a company, which means lower salaries and fewer responsibilities than roles that are more senior.
It’s why they are generally targeted towards recent graduates or those who might be looking for a change in career.
Should entry-level jobs be replaced with AI?
It has to be acknowledged that there are obviously some benefits to using AI, hence its popularity.
For example, AI tools are excellent at processing huge amounts of data, which can be especially useful for improving efficiency while reducing costs. Humans, with all our distractions and intrusive thoughts, are not so efficent in that respect.
For sole traders and entrepreneurs, who might not be in a financial position to take someone on, it can prove an invaluable tool, functioning as a kind of virtual assistant or apprentice.
It’s really not hard to see why so many business owners are tempted by it, but AI does have its limitations.
Why AI can’t fully replace entry-level jobs
If AI’s so great, why shouldn’t you use it?
Well, despite all the benefits, the pressure to adopt this new technology can force businesses into implementing something they’re not prepared for and don’t fully understand.
AI’s biggest blind spot is that it generally lacks emotional intelligence and so using it to make complex decisions can bring a whole host of ethical dilemmas. It’s also reliant on the data it receives.
Entry-level employees offer key soft skills, like creativity and problem-solving, and these are crucial when challenges arise.
It’s also important to remember that AI is still a work-in-progress, and so it will make mistakes from time to time. Entry-level juniors will too, so both require training.
The irony is that there’s actually a need for people trained in using AI, and entry-level workers could be the perfect candidates, with their relative inexperience being the very thing which allows them to approach AI systems with an open mind and a willingness to learn.
Beyond this, investing in entry-level employees is key to long-term innovation and sustainable growth for your business.
If you put your faith in young talent, they’ll ultimately reward you with their dedication and loyalty.
In conclusion, then, rather than trying to replace entry-level employees, businesses should commit to developing their potential over time, as this is how you create an environment where everyone is able – and willing – to thrive.
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