Disruptive Signals in the Workplace: Anticipating What Could Vanish from Your Job
Artificial intelligence is advancing at a speed that bothers more than one person. While its achievements are celebrated, alerts are also being raised about the future of employment. Sam Altman, CEO of , has reignited the discussion: certain jobs could disappear completely. But which ones? And how is society reacting to this increasingly imminent scenario?
Labor Areas in the Spotlight
During a recent meeting in Washington with Michelle Bowman, vice president of supervision at the Federal Reserve, Sam Altman didn’t beat around the bush: “There are areas of the labor market that will completely disappear due to AI,” he said. His statement, supported by advances in models like , focuses on the replacement of human tasks by algorithms trained to mimic and even surpass certain functions.
Among the most vulnerable sectors, Altman mentioned without hesitation the customer service sector. In his words, these types of tasks are already being taken over by virtual assistants that respond faster, without errors, and without the need for referrals. Companies in various industries are already implementing automated systems for inquiries, reservations, and data management, significantly reducing human intervention. The message is clear: the transformation has already begun, and not all jobs will survive.
When the Customer Doesn’t Want to Talk to a Machine
Despite the efficiency promised by automation, the reception by the public is not always positive. A study conducted in 2023 showed that a large majority of users prefer to deal with humans when it comes to solving problems or making complaints. The reason: AI failures, also known as “hallucinations,” are still common.
One case cited was that of a customer whose session unexpectedly ended and received an incorrect explanation from the automated system. Situations like these lead to frustration, distrust, and, in many cases, the decision to abandon the service. Companies like Klarna, which initially bet on almost entirely replacing their human personnel, had to reassess their position. Their CEO, Sebastian Siemiatkowski, admitted that it was necessary to ensure the presence of humans “for those who wish to,” as part of the commitment to user experience and brand reputation.
Artificial Intelligence: Promising Talent, But With Limits
Although developments in AI continue to surprise the world, they are not without flaws. Inaccurate or inconsistent responses and contextual errors show that these systems are still not prepared to completely replace humans. Beyond speed and processing capacity, empathy, judgment, and deep understanding remain human territory.
Some recent cases, such as that of the company Cusor, demonstrate the risks of relying exclusively on software. An error in technical support caused an escalation of frustration among users, proving that even the best-trained AI can fail and have negative consequences for the company. The Pressure to Automate and Its Invisible Consequences
The race to automate often responds to an economic logic: reduce costs, streamline processes, and achieve greater efficiency. However, the reputational and human cost of dispensing with direct interaction is becoming increasingly evident.
In the case of Klarna, the idea of a single AI replacing 700 employees was heavily criticized and ultimately abandoned. This experience reflects a reality: the public values the possibility of interacting with a real person, especially when they need understanding or immediate resolution. In a context of growing social and regulatory scrutiny, companies are beginning to see that not everything can be automated without consequences. Human contact, far from being an obstacle, can become a competitive advantage in the era of artificial intelligence. [Source: ]
