When computers first entered offices, many professionals dismissed them as nothing more than fancy typewriters. Yet, in just a few decades, they became the backbone of every industry. Artificial intelligence (AI) is now at a similar turning point. The difference is that this wave of transformation is moving far faster. The AI revolution is not around the corner. It has already arrived.
AI IN EMPLOYMENT
When computers first entered offices, many professionals dismissed them as nothing more than fancy typewriters. Yet, in just a few decades, they became the backbone of every industry. Artificial intelligence (AI) is now at a similar turning point. The difference is that this wave of transformation is moving far faster. The AI revolution is not around the corner. It has already arrived.
Across the globe, businesses are rethinking how they operate due to AI. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023 predicts that 44 per cent of workers’ skills will be disrupted over the next five years due to new technologies, with AI driving much of the change.
In Pakistan, we are already seeing signs of this shift. Banks are applying AI to detect fraud and improve customer service. Schools are experimenting with AI platforms to design lesson plans. Doctors are exploring AI-assisted diagnostic tools. Freelancers are using AI to compete on international platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr. The writing is on the wall: no profession will remain untouched.
Despite this reality, many professionals still convince themselves that AI has little impact on their careers. Others hesitate because they think it is too technical to learn. That mindset is risky. AI is no longer a niche skill. It is quickly becoming the baseline for employability. As someone who works in recruitment, I already meet candidates who use AI to prepare for interviews, analyse market trends and draft business proposals. Those who embrace these tools gain an edge. Those who ignore them risk being left behind, not because they lack talent, but because they fail to adapt.
It is worth remembering that AI is not here to push people out of the workforce entirely. Instead, it is changing the very nature of work. Just as calculators reduced the need for manual arithmetic, AI is automating routine tasks such as data analysis, report writing, and application screening. This does not make human skills irrelevant. On the contrary, it makes creativity, empathy, leadership, and strategic thinking even more valuable because these qualities are not replicable by machines.
AI will not slow down to wait for anyone. Professionals and organisations must decide whether they will adapt or become obsolete. In this new normal, AI literacy is no longer optiona
The encouraging part is that learning AI no longer requires a degree in computer science. Anyone can begin today. Tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini are available on laptops and even smartphones. These tools can also act as personal tutors, explaining concepts, offering examples, and guiding practice. As the saying goes, where there is a will, there is a way. The barrier is not access. It is the mindset.
For Pakistan’s workforce, this transformation presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The ILO has noted that countries embracing digital innovation are likely to create millions of new jobs, while those resisting it risk widening unemployment gaps. If we cling to outdated ways of working, we risk being sidelined in a world that is racing forward. If we embrace AI, however, we can boost productivity, open new industries, and ensure our youth are competitive not only in Pakistan but also globally.
The choice before us is simple but urgent. AI will not slow down to wait for anyone. Professionals and organisations must decide whether they will adapt or become obsolete. In this new normal, AI literacy is no longer optional. It is essential. The ball is in our court, and the time to act is now.
The writer is head of talent acquisition at Meezan Bank.
