About 40 per cent of jobs worldwide, especially back-office workers, could be replaced by the rise of artificial intelligence, a top official said in Abu Dhabi.

Sameer Abdullah Naas, president of the Union of Arab Chambers, said employers and employees are embracing new technologies at workplaces.

“People are technology driven. And they are more adapted to new technology. I noticed a lot of businesses working on the internet and selling products through their business and marketing promoting using that tool very well and efficiently. I think they adapt very well,” Naas said during a panel discussion at the ongoing Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Congress 2024 in Abu Dhabi.

In the same vein, Naas, who is also the Chairman of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, underlined that up to 40 per cent of back office jobs would be replaced by AI.

“The only challenges with new technologies nowadays that we see are getting warnings from specialists, I mean, an indication... that AI is going to be coming and creating a new problem and a challenge for governments and companies regarding back office operations. For example, that (AI) would eliminate almost 40 per cent of the jobs available in back office operations,” Naas noted.

Back-office jobs typically involve administrative-level work like accounting, maintaining records, data entry, HR, office management, IT support, and mostly operations-related services.

Retraining in age of AI
Naas pointed out the need for reskilling the workforce to counter job losses because of automation.

“And that means there’s another challenge, that is to retrain, to find a replacement, or where these people are going to be working.”

He called for starting a groundwork at educational institutions to make youngsters ready for the world of AI. “The educators have to change the way, the subject, they have to train and get our youth on what job they should seek for.”

He highlighted the public-private sector collaboration to deal with the challenges emerging from an accelerated digital transformation.

“So, there are a lot of transformations and challenges. I think governments have to get involved and find solutions with the private sector, as well as change some of the legislations and laws.”

The three-day annual gathering, organised by the AIM Global Foundation, has gathered industry leaders, policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and experts from around the world to explore innovative strategies and opportunities for economic growth and prosperity.

The three-day global investment event, an initiative of AIM Congress 2024 supported by the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, is being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre till Thursday.

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