OPINION | Will AI-powered robots take our jobs or create new ones?

The rapid emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-powered robots is transforming the global workforce, raising critical questions about its impact on employment. In SA, a nation marked by economic disparity and persistently high unemployment rates, the arrival of these technologies brings an added layer of urgency.

Will AI and robots displace jobs or catalyse the creation of new employment opportunities? The answer is multifaceted, demanding a nuanced analysis that balances apprehension with foresight.

The anxiety surrounding AI and robotics often centres on the spectre of job displacement, particularly in sectors dominated by routine, manual, or repetitive tasks. The South African labour market, which includes significant portions of its workforce in industries such as manufacturing, customer service and logistics, is especially susceptible.

Advanced robots capable of assembling products, autonomous delivery systems, and AI-driven customer service agents are no longer confined to the realm of speculative fiction; they are already reshaping the nature of work.

This technological disruption poses a formidable challenge: what becomes of the workers who fill these roles? For SA, where socio-economic divides are pronounced, the immediate impact of widespread job displacement could exacerbate existing inequalities, deepening social divides and straining public welfare systems.

Despite legitimate concerns over job loss, the narrative of technological unemployment tells only half the story. While AI and robotics may render certain job categories obsolete, they also create pathways for new, often more sophisticated roles. As AI automates mundane tasks, it enables human workers to pivot towards higher-value activities requiring creativity, strategic oversight and emotional intelligence, the qualities that machines, despite their rapid advancements, do not possess.

In this context, AI can act as a catalyst for job creation. The demand for skills in data science, machine learning, AI system management, and technology ethics is on the rise. For SA, the integration of AI into industries like healthcare, education and renewable energy offers new career pathways.

AI-powered diagnostic tools, for instance, augment the capacity of healthcare professionals rather than replace them, leading to job roles that involve technology oversight analysis, and patient interaction. Similarly, AI applications in education can create positions focused on curriculum design and personalised learning technologies.

The extent to which AI and robotics will create jobs rather than eliminate them hinges on the readiness of the workforce. Herein lies a significant challenge for SA. The skills gap is a well-documented barrier, with many workers lacking the technical proficiency needed to transition to AI-enhanced roles. This gap underscores the urgent need for a coordinated national strategy focused on upskilling and reskilling.

The advent of AI and robots presents a paradox: while it holds the potential to drive economic growth, it risks reinforcing existing inequalities. SA’s digital divide – marked by unequal access to technology and education – poses a significant risk that AI could become a force that benefits only a select few. Without inclusive strategies, the potential for AI to exacerbate rather than alleviate social disparities becomes a real concern.

Insights from global leaders in AI integration can provide valuable lessons for SA. Singapore’s Skills Future initiative, which incentivises lifelong learning and skills development, and Germany’s dual education model that blends vocational training with academic study, demonstrate effective strategies for preparing a workforce for technological evolution.

However, these models must be adapted to SA’s unique socio-economic landscape, characterised by disparities in education quality, digital access and economic opportunity.

Tailored solutions could include initiatives like digital apprenticeships that combine on-the-job learning with formal training, or partnerships between tech firms and local universities to develop AI-focused curricula. Addressing fundamental issues such as internet accessibility and modernising educational infrastructure will be essential for these efforts to succeed.

The future of work in SA, influenced by the rise of AI and robots, is not a binary scenario of job loss versus job creation. It is, instead, a complex continuum that requires strategic planning and proactive policymaking.

With the right investments in education, infrastructure and public-private partnerships, AI can shift from being perceived as a disruptor to being embraced as a tool for socio-economic progress.

Ultimately, the question is not solely whether AI and robotics will take our jobs or create new ones. The more pressing question is whether SA will harness this transformative wave in a way that fosters inclusive growth and shared prosperity.

As we stand at this technological crossroads, the choices we make today will define the narrative of AI in SA – not as a force that displaces, but as one that empowers and elevates society to new heights. The path forward is ours to shape. We must be ready to navigate it with wisdom and foresight.

• Dr Boikanyo is a University of Johannesburg academic