AI Is Changing Tech Jobs: What It Means for Beginners

As you consider a career in tech, you're likely wondering: will AI take my job before I even start? The truth is, the AI effect on tech jobs is real, and it's already changing the landscape of the industry. You've probably heard stories about automation replacing certain roles, and maybe you're worried that you'll invest time and effort into learning a new skill, only to have it become obsolete. But the reality is more nuanced: while AI is certainly absorbing some junior tasks, it's also creating new opportunities and making certain skills more valuable. The key to navigating this shift is to understand which tasks AI is likely to take over, and which skills will become more important as a result. For example, AI is already very good at repetitive, data-intensive tasks like data entry, bookkeeping, and basic coding. If you're just starting out, it's unlikely that you'll be competing with AI for these types of tasks - but you will need to learn how to work with AI systems that can perform them. On the other hand, skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity are still uniquely human, and are likely to become even more valuable as AI takes over more routine tasks. So what does this mean for you, as a beginner in tech? It means that you should focus on learning skills that complement AI, rather than trying to compete with it. This might include skills like machine learning, natural language processing, or data science - all of which require a strong understanding of how AI systems work, and how to use them to solve real-world problems. It also means being open to learning new tools and technologies, and being willing to adapt to changing circumstances. With the right skills and mindset, you can thrive in a tech industry that's being shaped by AI - and create a career that's fulfilling, challenging, and rewarding.

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AI Effect on Tech Jobs: Tasks That Are Being Automated

Introduction to Automation in Tech

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into various sectors of the tech industry has led to significant changes in the job landscape. AI is capable of automating repetitive, mundane, and time-consuming tasks, freeing human professionals to focus on more complex and creative work. For beginners looking to enter the tech field, understanding which tasks are being automated is crucial for making informed decisions about their career paths. Tools like GitHub's Copilot, Amazon's SageMaker, and Google's AutoML are at the forefront of this automation trend.

Junior Tasks That Are Being Automated

Several junior tasks in tech are being absorbed by AI, including data entry, testing, and basic coding. For instance, automated testing tools like Selenium and Appium can perform regression testing and identify bugs much faster and more accurately than human testers. Similarly, AI-powered code completion tools like Kite and TabNine can assist junior developers with writing code, reducing the time spent on mundane tasks like syntax checking and code formatting. According to a report by Gartner, by 2025, AI will automate about 40% of all coding tasks, including those currently performed by junior developers.

Data preprocessing: Tools like Trifacta and DataRobot can automate data cleaning, transformation, and feature engineering, tasks that typically require significant manual effort.
Basic bug fixing: AI-powered tools like Bugsnag and Rollbar can identify and fix common bugs, freeing junior developers to focus on more complex issues.
Code review: AI-powered code review tools like CodeFactor and Codacy can analyze code quality, detect errors, and provide feedback, reducing the need for manual code reviews.

Automation in Specific Tech Roles

In web development, AI is being used to automate tasks like layout design, CSS styling, and JavaScript coding. Tools like Wix and Webflow allow users to create websites without writing a single line of code. In software testing, AI-powered tools like Applitools and Testim.io can perform visual testing and automate test creation, reducing the need for manual testing. According to a report by Indeed, the demand for manual testers is expected to decrease by 20% in the next 2 years, while the demand for automation testers is expected to increase by 30%.

In Nigeria, the tech industry is also experiencing the impact of AI automation, with companies like Andela and Flutterwave adopting AI-powered tools to streamline their development processes. The cost of implementing AI solutions can vary widely, from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million ($1,200 to $12,000 USD) per year, depending on the complexity of the task and the tool used. As AI continues to advance, it's essential for beginners to focus on developing skills that complement automation, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity.

What Skills Are Becoming More Valuable Due to AI in Tech

As AI takes over junior tasks in the tech industry, certain skills are becoming more valuable. These skills are not easily automatable and require human intuition, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. For beginners, focusing on these skills can increase their chances of success in the industry.

Data Interpretation and Strategy

With AI handling data collection and processing, the ability to interpret and make strategic decisions based on data is becoming increasingly valuable. Tools like Tableau, Power BI, and D3.js are essential for data visualization and interpretation. For example, a data analyst using Tableau can create interactive dashboards to help businesses make informed decisions, earning around ₦250,000 - ₦400,000 (approximately $600-$1,000 USD) per month in Nigeria.

Beginners can learn data interpretation and strategy by taking online courses like Coursera's Data Science Specialization (around ₦80,000 - ₦150,000 or $200-$350 USD for 3-6 months) or edX's Data Analysis and Visualization MicroMasters (around ₦120,000 - ₦250,000 or $300-$600 USD for 4-6 months).

Creativity and Problem-Solving

AI excels at repetitive and routine tasks, but it lacks creativity and problem-solving skills. As a result, skills like design thinking, user experience (UX) design, and creative problem-solving are becoming more valuable. Tools like Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch are popular for UX design, and beginners can learn these skills through online courses like Udemy's UX Design Masterclass (around ₦20,000 - ₦50,000 or $50-$120 USD) or LinkedIn Learning's Design Thinking course (around ₦15,000 - ₦30,000 or $35-$70 USD).

Some key skills that are becoming more valuable due to AI include:

Communication and collaboration: As AI handles more technical tasks, the ability to communicate complex ideas and collaborate with teams is becoming essential.
Emotional intelligence and empathy: Understanding user needs and emotions is critical in designing and developing AI-powered systems.
Adaptability and continuous learning: The tech industry is constantly evolving, and beginners need to be able to adapt quickly to new tools, technologies, and methodologies.
Business acumen and strategy: Understanding the business side of tech and being able to develop strategic plans is becoming more valuable as AI handles more routine tasks.

Beginners can develop these skills by working on real-world projects, participating in hackathons, and collaborating with other developers and designers. For example, participating in a hackathon like the Nigeria-based Hackathon.io can help beginners develop their problem-solving skills and network with other professionals in the industry.

Overall, the key to success in the tech industry is to focus on skills that are complementary to AI, rather than trying to compete with it. By developing skills like data interpretation, creativity, and problem-solving, beginners can increase their value in the industry and set themselves up for long-term success.

A computer circuit board with a brain on it — What Skills Are Becoming More Valuable Due to AI in Tech · Photo by Steve A Johnson on Unsplash

How to Learn AI-Driven Technologies as a Beginner in Nigeria

As AI continues to transform the tech landscape, it's essential for beginners to acquire skills that complement AI-driven technologies. In Nigeria, where the tech industry is rapidly growing, learning these skills can be a strategic move. To get started, beginners can focus on developing a strong foundation in programming and then move on to AI-specific tools and technologies.

Programming Fundamentals

A solid grasp of programming concepts is crucial for working with AI-driven technologies. Beginners can start with popular programming languages like Python, which is widely used in AI and machine learning. Online resources like Codecademy (₦15,000 - ₦30,000 or $35 - $70 per year) and FreeCodeCamp (free) offer interactive coding lessons and exercises to help beginners build their programming skills. With consistent practice, beginners can develop a strong foundation in programming within 2-3 months, dedicating about 10-15 hours per week.

Ai-Driven Technologies and Tools

Once beginners have a solid grasp of programming fundamentals, they can move on to AI-specific tools and technologies. Some popular AI-driven technologies for beginners include:

TensorFlow: An open-source machine learning library developed by Google. Beginners can start with TensorFlow tutorials on the official website (free) and then move on to more advanced courses like the TensorFlow Developer Certificate program (₦120,000 - ₦180,000 or $280 - $420).
PyTorch: Another popular open-source machine learning library. PyTorch offers a range of tutorials and courses on its official website (free), as well as more advanced courses like the PyTorch Scholarship Program (₦80,000 - ₦150,000 or $180 - $350).
Scikit-learn: A popular open-source machine learning library for Python. Scikit-learn offers a range of tutorials and courses on its official website (free), as well as more advanced courses like the Data Science with Python and Scikit-learn course on DataCamp (₦40,000 - ₦80,000 or $90 - $180).

Beginners can also explore other AI-driven technologies like natural language processing (NLP) and computer vision. Online courses and tutorials on platforms like Udemy (₦20,000 - ₦50,000 or $45 - $110 per course), Coursera (₦30,000 - ₦100,000 or $70 - $220 per course), and edX (₦20,000 - ₦50,000 or $45 - $110 per course) can provide a comprehensive introduction to these topics.

Practical Experience and Projects

To gain practical experience and build a portfolio, beginners can work on personal projects or contribute to open-source projects on platforms like GitHub (free). This can help them develop problem-solving skills, learn to work with AI-driven technologies, and demonstrate their skills to potential employers. With consistent practice and dedication, beginners can develop a strong portfolio and gain the skills and confidence needed to pursue a career in AI-driven technologies within 6-12 months.

Additionally, beginners can participate in hackathons, coding challenges, and competitions to test their skills and learn from others. Platforms like Kaggle (free) and HackerRank (free) offer a range of competitions and challenges that can help beginners develop their skills and gain recognition in the industry.

Jobs in Tech That Are Less Likely to Be Impacted by AI

While AI is increasingly capable of performing various tasks, there are certain jobs in tech that are less likely to be heavily impacted by automation. These roles typically require skills that are difficult to replicate with AI, such as creativity, problem-solving, and human interaction. In Nigeria, for example, the tech industry is growing rapidly, with the market size expected to reach ₦12.8 trillion (approximately $31 billion USD) by 2025. As a beginner, it's essential to understand which areas of tech are more resistant to AI disruption.

Human-Centric Roles

Jobs that involve working closely with people, such as project management, sales, and customer support, are less likely to be replaced by AI. These roles require empathy, communication skills, and the ability to understand human needs and emotions. In Nigeria, companies like Andela, Flutterwave, and Paystack are hiring for these types of positions, with salaries ranging from ₦8 million to ₦15 million (approximately $20,000 to $37,000 USD) per year.

Project managers: overseeing development teams, coordinating projects, and ensuring timely delivery. Tools like Asana, Trello, and Jira are commonly used in this role.
Technical sales specialists: working with clients to understand their needs and providing tailored solutions. This role requires a strong understanding of technology and business acumen.
Customer support specialists: providing assistance to customers via phone, email, or chat. This role requires excellent communication skills and the ability to troubleshoot issues.

Highly Specialized Roles

Certain tech jobs require a high level of specialization and expertise, making them less susceptible to AI replacement. These roles often involve complex problem-solving, critical thinking, and the ability to adapt to new technologies. In Nigeria, companies like IBM, Microsoft, and Google are hiring for these types of positions, with salaries ranging from ₦15 million to ₦30 million (approximately $37,000 to $74,000 USD) per year.

Data scientists: working with complex data sets to identify trends and patterns. Tools like Python, R, and TensorFlow are commonly used in this role.
Cybersecurity specialists: protecting computer systems and networks from cyber threats. This role requires a strong understanding of security protocols and the ability to stay up-to-date with the latest threats.
DevOps engineers: ensuring the smooth operation of software systems and infrastructure. This role requires a strong understanding of development, testing, and deployment processes.

To increase your chances of success in these roles, it's essential to develop a strong foundation in programming languages like Python, Java, or JavaScript. You should also familiarize yourself with industry-specific tools and technologies, such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. With dedication and hard work, you can acquire the skills needed to thrive in these areas of tech, with a potential timeline of 6-12 months for beginners to gain a solid foundation, and 1-2 years to become proficient.

The letter a is placed on top of a circuit board — Jobs in Tech That Are Less Likely to Be Impacted by AI · Photo by Numan Ali on Unsplash

Building a Career in Tech That Complements AI Capabilities

To build a career in tech that complements AI capabilities, it's essential to understand which junior tasks AI can absorb and which skills become more valuable as a result. AI can handle repetitive, data-intensive tasks such as data cleaning, data processing, and data visualization, freeing up human developers to focus on higher-level tasks. For instance, tools like AutoML and Google Cloud AI Platform can automate machine learning model development, while Tableau and Power BI can handle data visualization tasks.

Identifying High-Value Skills

As AI takes over junior tasks, skills that require human judgment, creativity, and problem-solving become more valuable. These skills include data interpretation, strategic decision-making, and complex problem-solving. For example, a data scientist who can collect and analyze data using Python and R, and then interpret the results to inform business decisions, is more valuable than one who only knows how to perform data analysis tasks. Similarly, a developer who can design and implement AI systems using TensorFlow and PyTorch, and then integrate them into larger applications, is more valuable than one who only knows how to write code.

In Nigeria, the demand for tech professionals with high-value skills is increasing, with companies like Andela and Flutterwave looking for developers and data scientists who can work on complex projects. According to LinkedIn, the average salary for a data scientist in Nigeria is around ₦15 million (approximately $38,000 USD) per year, while the average salary for a software engineer is around ₦12 million (approximately $30,000 USD) per year.

Learning the Right Skills

To learn the skills that complement AI capabilities, beginners can start by taking online courses and participating in coding challenges. Some popular resources include Coursera, edX, and Kaggle. For example, Coursera's Machine Learning course by Andrew Ng covers the basics of machine learning and deep learning, while Kaggle's Competitions platform provides a chance to practice and showcase skills in data science and machine learning. With a timeline of around 3-6 months, beginners can acquire the necessary skills to start working on projects and building a portfolio.

Python programming: Learn the basics of Python programming and practice using libraries like Pandas, NumPy, and Matplotlib.
Data analysis and interpretation: Learn how to collect, analyze, and interpret data using tools like Excel, Tableau, and Power BI.
Machine learning and deep learning: Learn the basics of machine learning and deep learning using tools like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Scikit-learn.
Communication and collaboration: Practice communicating complex technical ideas to non-technical stakeholders and collaborating with others on projects.

By acquiring these skills and staying up-to-date with industry trends, beginners can build a successful career in tech that complements AI capabilities. With the right skills and experience, tech professionals in Nigeria can earn salaries ranging from ₦10 million to ₦25 million (approximately $25,000 to $62,000 USD) per year, depending on the company, role, and level of experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will AI replace human workers in tech?

AI will automate some tasks, but humans will still be needed for complex problem-solving and decision-making, requiring workers to develop new skills to work alongside AI, with salaries ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦2 million per month.

How long will it take to learn AI-related skills?

Learning AI-related skills takes around 2-6 months, with dedication of 10-20 hours per week, costing between $100 to $500 (₦40,000 to ₦200,000) for online courses.

Do I need a degree to work in AI?

No, a degree is not always required, as many companies value skills and experience, with many AI professionals starting with certifications and building a strong portfolio, which can be achieved with an investment of $500 to $2,000 (₦200,000 to ₦800,000).

What kind of jobs will be available in the AI industry?

Jobs like data scientist, AI engineer, and business analyst will be available, with average salaries ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 (₦20 million to ₦40 million) per year, and requiring a strong foundation in programming and data analysis.

Where to go from here

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