As the debate on artificial intelligence (AI) and job displacement continues, there is a consensus among experts that blue-collar workers are relatively safe from the threat of automation. HR services firm TeamLease Services revealed that only 1% of blue-collar jobs are currently at risk of being automated by AI. The nature of blue-collar jobs, involving physical tasks and hands-on skills with a level of adaptability difficult for AI to replicate, contributes to their resilience against displacement.
In fact, AI is seen as a tool that can enhance the productivity of blue-collar workers, potentially leading to improved pay. Companies are already investing in AI technologies to optimize the efficiency of roles such as delivery partners, dark store workers, and warehouse staff. AI helps predict orders, manage inventory, and optimize delivery routes, reducing waiting times and improving overall productivity.
Upskilling blue-collar employees is another area where AI, particularly generative AI, is playing a significant role. Companies are investing in proof-of-concept generative AI solutions to create video, text, and image-based learning content for blue-collar workers. This approach allows for personalized and targeted upskilling, matching relevant learning content to the specific needs of each worker.
BetterPlace, a software-as-a-service platform, is actively developing and deploying generative AI solutions to create learning content for blue-collar employees. The platform aims to streamline the recruitment process by using AI to parse and summarize resumes, reducing the time recruiters spend on screening by approximately 60%. Additionally, AI is employed to automatically match workers with relevant learning content tailored to their requirements.
Ved Antani, Chief Product and Technology Officer at BetterPlace, emphasized the transformative impact of AI on the blue-collar workforce. The use of AI in upskilling not only benefits workers but also optimizes costs, saves time, and improves talent acquisition for organizations. The adoption of generative AI is viewed as a positive force that empowers blue-collar workers and aligns with their aspirations for continuous upskilling to secure better-paying jobs.
