While a growing number of software engineers, programmers, manual testers, tech support staff and data analysts could see their jobs disrupted by artificial intelligence (AI) over the next few years, experts expect some 69 million new jobs to emerge, and many will be hybrid technology positions.
In fact, we’ll likely see a decrease in the number of developers and engineers needed to create a piece of software going forward as AI takes over repetitive coding tasks.
Given the forecast, impacted tech pros need to start planning their next career move today.
To give you a hand, here’s a look at some adjacent jobs or alternative career paths for tech professionals whose jobs are facing disruption from AI.
Product Builder
Product builder is a rising role that combines the skills of a software engineer, product manager and UX designer with a head for business explained Ravi Raman, executive coach for tech professionals.
To figure out where the new roles will be created, software engineers and developers need to consider what AI can and can’t do Raman continued. For instance, AI can generate code, identify bugs, run tests and even help with optimization when given direction from humans.
However, AI can’t make qualitative decisions or judgements about what to build or not build or what a product should look like, and it certainly can’t gain buy-in from key stakeholders. That’s why many of the “new” software jobs will incorporate a wide variety of skills that enable decision making.
“The future will be made by creators, not consumers of software,” Raman said.
To prepare for a role as a product builder, software engineers and developers should strive to get “front-end” experience or work with an integrated product team. They will also need soft skills such as empathy and communication that comes from working with customers as well as the ability to make complex decisions.
Just keep asking yourself, how can I become more product manager-like by adding market-facing skills?
Prompt Engineer/Prompt Developer
Developers and programmers can prolong their careers by learning how to create a prompt or set of instructions that tells an AI system or tool what to do.
ChatGPT can rewrite old code or make modifications, but the catch is, it needs someone with excellent English skills and knowledge of programming to provide it with clear and concise instructions explained Timothy Thomas, leadership, career and executive coach for Coaching Technology Group.
Learning how to write prompts would be an upward career move for most programmers and a lateral move for developers, but it can also open up new job opportunities and increase your earning potential down the road.
Business Analyst or Data Engineer
Undoubtedly, one of the strengths of AI is its ability to gather, clean and parse large data sets. Over time, this will replace or streamline many of the tasks currently performed by data analysts and reduce the need for their positions.
Again, however, AI has limitations. For instance, it cannot interpret or account for human behavior, fully interpret the results of data analysis or make sound decisions.
To avoid disruption, data analysts can head in one of two directions: business analyst or data engineer. The engineering side will continue to boom Raman noted. Another option is to pivot toward the “more human side” by becoming a customer success analyst, customer insights analyst or even a DevOps analyst. Any job that is more focused on gaining insights from data will benefit from AI rather than being replaced by AI.
Quality Assurance Director
Although AI won’t completely eliminate the need for software and game testers, over time it will continue to transform the role and reduce the number of jobs.
The most effective way for testers to enhance their career prospects in light of the advancements of AI is to embrace the change and elevate their skillset.
For instance, learn test design techniques and how to create test scenarios, develop test cases, and test scripts. At some point, ChatGPT is going to get stuck, or encounter is a task that needs to be performed manually during testing Thomas said.
Being able to conceptualize the query and address the gaps and oversights in the testing process will help you enjoy greater job security. Another option is to become a manager responsible for hiring and managing an offshore QA team.
You’ll need excellent communication and reading skills to move up the QA ladder, but you won’t be replaced by AI, at least, not anytime soon.
Complex Project Manager
There isn’t a bot out there that can master the intricacies of a complex technical project. Sure, AI can enhance and improve project management in a variety of ways, but it can’t do strategic planning, establish priorities, or build trust with stakeholders.
Complex project managers do things that ordinary project managers can’t do. It’s a distinct subset of people who use a combination of technical and leadership skills to effectively plan, execute, and oversee projects across various industries. Professionals with these skills will be able to write their own tickets for the foreseeable future.
In summary, the rapid growth of AI adoption will require professionals with the skills to build, operate and succeed with the new technologies. Identifying and acquiring adjacent skills that are closely related or connected to your primary area of expertise will help you transition into newly created hybrid or AI-assisted roles in the era of AI.
