I was part of three major tech events in the past few weeks and again I realised how fast it is all moving and how some of us are losing out.
The quick pace with which technology is suddenly moving is referred to as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or 4iR and it’s leaving a lot of people behind.
There are millions of traditional jobs all over the world that are being replaced by computers and new-fangled phrases, like Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing.
As I’ve said previously, these things sound a lot more complicated than they actually are; and once you start researching them, you’ll discover how easily you could get involved.
But I find many people steering clear of them, because they fear looking stupid in front of the experts.
The most important thing about the 4iR is that it levels the playing field between those with university education and those who may have dropped out of school.
All it takes is a bit of consistent willingness to want to learn.
With some data that allows you to access YouTube, there’s virtually nothing you can’t teach yourself these days; and that includes computer coding.
While the doors of traditional jobs may be closing, you are opening dozens more for yourself by being able to code.
The problem is, there are so many people who still don’t even know how to switch on a computer, never mind downloading an app.
As I familiarise myself with all things digital, I realise its potential to change the world as we know it.
While I was sitting at the traffic department the other day, it hit me how unnecessary all their procedures and processes are and how very soon the entire thing is going to be replaced by an online system.
NEW BESTIE: Google is an avenue to new possibilities. Picture: Supplied.
It is inevitable that all jobs that involve repetitive functions will sooner or later be replaced by computer systems, which will mean speedier service, but also a massive reduction in human staff.
It cannot be stopped and is busy happening in the banking industry right now.
Many people see this as job losses, but the truth is, it is job displacement.
So if you don’t reskill yourself, you will unfortunately be without a job eventually.
But if you can quietly train yourself in one of the emerging new digital fields, then there are going to be plenty of new jobs requiring your new skills.
This digital future is approaching fast and I cannot emphasise enough how every single thing you are going to get involved in on a daily basis, will involve technology in some way.
You could be coding fridges, or cars, or new apps from home before you know it.
And the most interesting thing about it all is that a lot of what you need to know is available free of charge online.
It would be a travesty if the greatest invention in human history, the internet, didn’t benefit the most disadvantaged people on earth.
But you need to take the first step, start showing interest so you can demystify the jargon and then access all the free resources that are available out there.
Go to a library today, sit at computer and ask someone to help you Google something. Take it from there, so you don’t get left behind.