Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have led to the development of chatbots and automated customer service systems that are quickly becoming commonplace across many industries. AI or Chatbot technology has the potential to replace many traditional roles such as customer service agents, medical transcriptionists, data entry clerks, administrative assistants, and more. However, when it comes to the skilled trades, particularly those with intricate knowledge of industry-specific processes and procedures, AI or Chatbot technology is unlikely to be able to match the expertise of humans any time soon.
Tradesmen and women often possess years of hands-on experience that cannot be replaced by a computer algorithm. For example, consider a plumber who is tasked with assessing and resolving an issue with a complex home water system. They need to be able to identify problems with pipes, plumbing fixtures, pressure levels, leaks and other issues through careful examination—something that AI or Chatbot technology simply can't do. Furthermore, tradespeople are often highly trained in safety protocols which may not easily be replicated through automated software applications. While some mundane tasks could theoretically be handled by AI or Chatbot programs (such as scheduling appointments and paying invoices), no current technology exists that can replicate the complex problem analysis required for many trades jobs.
In addition to their practical execution of various tasks related to their trade specialty, human workers possess something called “soft skills” which encompass communication abilities such as patience when dealing with customers or clients who may lack technical expertise in their field. These interpersonal skills are far harder for machines to simulate than logical processes such as basic arithmetic calculations— something that can easily be accomplished by even early iterations of automated systems like calculator apps on smartphones.
AI may eventually reach parity with humans by learning from experience over time but until then the skilled trades will remain firmly rooted in human labor —at least for now!
Get started on Skillstrader.com today.