Are data miners the new gold miners?

This year we participated again in the festival organized at the end of July at the Bálványos Summer Open University – Tusványos. At the invitation of the Transylvania Café Tent, in partnership with the IT Plus Cluster, we prepared a panel discussion about rock stars (speaking of festivals, by the way), namely the new “rock stars” of the IT profession.
Are data miners the new gold miners?

Jobs of the future

According to The Future of Employment (Frey, Osbourne 2013) article assessing job susceptibility to computerization, several occupations will be replaced by AI in the next 20 years, starting from 99% of telemarketers and insurance salespeople, 98% of sports referees, 97% of cashiers, 96% of cooks, 94% of waiters and barristers, 91% of tour guides, 89% of bakers, bus drivers, ending in only 0.7% for archaeologists, as this work requires highly sophisticated pattern recognition skills, furthermore, it is unlikely to be economically viable to develop such a complex AI.

Shortage occupations may also appear, the most likely being Big Data / Data Scientist, Cybersecurity / IT security engineering, UX Designer, Information Systems Manager, E-commerce manager, Patient and elderly care, Education and training, Laboratory technician, Health information management, Renewable energy technicians and engineers / Solar, wind (and climate change in general) technician, Forest fire prevention manager (firefighter), Skilled tradesman (e.g. electrician).

Data miners are the new gold miners?

According to the previous report, data scientists are certainly at the top of the list, as they appear to be the new rock stars of the IT profession. Why? Because every day, 400 million TB* data are generated worldwide, up 22.5% compared to last year. Where will we store that much data and how much energy will these server farms consume? Who will mine, process, and make this data meaningful to humans? Data miners are going to be the new gold miners?

Data analysts and data scientists are among the most sought-after professions in today’s job market due to their critical role in interpreting and leveraging vast amounts of data. These professionals help organizations make informed decisions, optimize operations, and uncover new opportunities by analyzing complex datasets. Their work is essential in driving innovation and maintaining a competitive edge in various industries.

Demand for data professionals is continuing to grow. However, how can organizations ensure the effective utilization of the insights provided by these experts to stay ahead in an increasingly data-driven world?

Reflections of the panelists

It was an inspiring discussion with our invited speakers and the audience, which raised even more questions. Below are some reflections and afterwords of our panelists.

It is also true for AI that you cannot linearly conclude the future, based on the past. It is worth considering various scenarios and preparing for multiple possible futures. Among these, there should be some visions of the future that seem less fortunate now, as we are creating solutions to “take our work,” or at least the parts of it that are less “creative,” which may result in needing fewer programmers in the future. We also discussed where data sharing and the resulting information can lead: if something is free of charge, you are the product. While we don’t need to go straight to the example of political influence, it’s worth being aware of its potential. It is also worth mentioning Sandor’s point that once we become aware of these techniques, they will no longer be as effective.
(Zoltán Beke, CEO of Mortoff)

During the discussion, we outlined how the rock star aspect of IT professionals has evolved. The barrier to entry is getting higher and higher, and an increasingly complex skill set will be needed to get a job. We agreed that the current economic climate and the availability of AI tools mean that entry-level IT professionals are in a much more difficult position than ever in the last 10 years. It was reassuring to note that the main lines of thinking were about the same, both with the audience and the panelists, but we also got a fair amount of thought-provoking “red pill”.
(Sándor Kolumbán, CEO of Explorer Consulting and university teacher at UBB Cluj)

Final thoughts on the future of IT

As we navigate the complexities of AI-driven automation, preparing for a future that balances technological innovation with human creativity and adaptability is crucial. The discussion with the experts highlighted the importance of envisioning multiple scenarios and being proactive in addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. By fostering a forward-thinking mindset and embracing continuous learning, we can ensure that the workforce remains resilient and capable of thriving in an increasingly automated world.