AI reshaping jobs, but human skills remain key, says expert

Doha, Qatar: Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the modern workplace, driving both unprecedented efficiency and complex challenges, accordin...

Doha, Qatar: Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the modern workplace, driving both unprecedented efficiency and complex challenges, according to Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Teaching Professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q), a member of Qatar Foundation, Dr. Khaled Harras. 

Speaking to The Peninsula, Dr. Harras highlighted that AI’s impact on work is already being felt across two major dimensions. “First, AI provides much more effective access to distilled information and data,” he said, explaining that unlike the traditional web, AI systems can process and tailor knowledge into specific outputs based on user prompts. 

“Second, it creates a massive gain in efficiency for mundane human activities summarising emails, drafting slides, coding, and media production.”

This shift, he noted, is lowering the barrier to entry for many tasks and accelerating how quickly individuals can move through entry-level work.

However, Dr. Harras acknowledged that concerns about job displacement are not unfounded. “The reality is that some of that fear is justified because many jobs will indeed be replaced,” he said. Yet, he stressed that the deeper issue lies in workforce readiness. “Our current workforce isn’t fully equipped to integrate this rapidly evolving AI ecosystem to become more effective.”