Tom Evslin has a clear point to make – the age of artificial intelligence is here, and it will soon challenge the long-held view of the value of a college degree in terms of securing good-paying jobs. Automated factories in less developed countries have already made many products cheaper and easier to access, but jobs have been lost in the process. And now, with tools such as ChatGPT, coders no longer need a college degree to write advanced software. AI can do the job faster and better than any human can. Consequently, the salary gap between white-collar and no-collar jobs is slowly closing.
Today, the essential workers that have been at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic are in full view. With nurses going freelance, an even greater emphasis is being placed on the traditional skills of carpenters, plumbers, EMTs and truck drivers. ChatGPT can even write legal documents and personalized advertising, as well as draw up plans. Its capabilities are also being seen in coding, web design and bug fixing.
However, ChatGPT is not set to completely replace coders in the near future. Those who are able to master its use can become more productive, while those who cannot may need to turn to traditionally essential and manual labor jobs. By learning new skills and staying up to date with the latest technology, white-collar workers can continue to stay ahead of the curve.
VTDigger is an independent, non-profit investigative news outlet based in Vermont that is committed to providing high-quality journalism for the state of Vermont. Operating a newsroom of both in-depth reporting and data visualization, they strive to inform citizens about the complexities of Vermont politics and important public issues. Operating on a wide variety of topics, such as government, health, public service, and education, they offer a wide range of articles that are aimed to inform and educate readers. They are committed to providing accurate, consistent, and timely information and form their pieces not only: from their reporters but also from commentaries contributed by readers and newsmakers. This article is an example of this, with the commentaries being written by Tom Evslin of Stowe, who is an entrepreneur, author and former Douglas Administration official. Through this platform, different views from a wide range of voices from Vermonters are heard.
