The AI Wars: Once Bitten, Twice Shy

To those who may know or have read something about me, you'll probably know I've lost a job to AI before. The funny thing about this scenario was that I received a sound warning just weeks before the hammer dropped. I never took it seriously, or I felt I was too good to suffer from whatever potential threat AI posed.

I used to work as a freelance transcriber for an online outsourcing company. Initially, on the job, we were tasked with transcribing audio conversations on a blank page. It was tough, but I did it anyway. Along the line things got better. A software was introduced that helps with transcribing on the platform. About 70% of the audio was already transcribed by the software. My job became part transcribing, part proofreading/editing. It was so enjoyable that I never noticed danger was looming.

On one good day, I was working on an audio file where a loan company, Westlake Financials, was grilling a customer who defaulted on her loan payments. When the customer gave her reason for defaulting, I received the ultimate warning, a warning I failed to heed. Her reason? She lost her job and was finding it hard to get a decent replacement. The woman had been a transcriber for 15 years. Suddenly, AI took over her job and she was laid off.

As at then, I had only been a transcriber for about two years. I thought to myself, "If a transcriber with 15 years experience could lose her job, what's my fate with a paltry two years experience?" Despite the thought, I didn't sit up. I convinced myself the woman was just unlucky and that people get in and out of job on a daily basis. She may just be one of the unlucky ones to lose her job. I did a good job of hiding my fear.

However, what was hidden busted out when the outsourcing company I was with suddenly slashed our pay by 50%. Their reason? AI now does about 95% of the transcribing. We are just to correct the few 'correctables' so there is no point paying us as much any longer. A month later, I was out of work. I couldn't cope with the frustration of staring at my computer screen for one full hour all in the name of working just to make a pitiful sum. I went from doing about $3 to $7 per hour to doing $0.3 per hour. I quit.

Even in my current job, AI's threat is already apparent. Some categories I used to work on are now redundant. AI has taken over those sectors. So, can I lose another job to AI? Absolutely, but I am wiser now. I learnt my lesson the first time. I am not waiting around for a repeat. And to avoid being caught out cold once again, I am expanding my skills.

Right now what I do has no affiliation with my academic qualifications. I've gotten so used to remote work that I've practically forgotten what it feels like to be an environmentalist. But in the face of persistent pressure from AI, I'm gradually retracing my steps. The last few years I've been preparing myself for a comeback by starting out with online courses in my area of specialization.

I am already working hard by attending online seminars so as to fill the knowledge gap that exists since I went off course. Once I am satisfied, the plan is to apply for an online internship in that field. With that, I get to stay at home and make money while also gathering valuable experience as an environmentalist - talk about killing two birds with one stone.

If I am motivated to return to the field, I might just make freelancing my second choice. As versatile as AI may be, it will not take over the job of field scientists, at least for now. So, I will not wait for the time when my reviewing skill will become obsolete before looking for a way out. I fell for this trick once before, it will not happen again.

Source