Study Reveals ChatGPT’s Role in Reducing Online Freelance Opportunities
A recent study involving a Harvard Business School fellow and scholars from Germany and England has revealed a significant decrease in online freelance opportunities susceptible to automation, particularly in writing and coding sectors. Since the launch of ChatGPT eight months ago, there has been a 21% decline in such jobs, and the trend appears to be worsening. The research suggests that as artificial intelligence continues to evolve, the demand for these jobs will further diminish.
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has previously shared insights acknowledging the widespread impact of AI on the workforce. According to their findings, 80% of the U.S. workforce could see at least 10% of their job tasks automated by AI technologies.
Further emphasizing this shift, a Wall Street Journal article highlighted how traditional freelance roles requiring basic writing and coding skills are vanishing from platforms like Upwork. In contrast, lower-paying online jobs that involve data processing and training AI models are on the rise. This shift indicates a growing need for roles that support AI development, albeit with less financial reward.
Experts argue that while AI threatens to automate many conventional jobs, it also emphasizes the importance of human intelligence in developing and managing AI technologies. Sonam Jindal, from the Partnership on AI, stresses that these roles are vital to the AI economy and should be recognized as significant career paths.
The study also points out that while some jobs are diminishing, skills that complement AI—like critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence—are becoming increasingly valuable. This could lead to a more distinct separation in the job market, with a clear division between high-skill, high-wage jobs and low-skill, low-wage positions.
As the debate continues about AI’s role in the workforce, it is clear that its impact is profound and growing, reshaping how and where people work in the digital age.