The rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is profoundly changing the freelance market. A new study reveals the impact on freelancing platforms since the release of ChatGPT. Data shows that demand for some jobs has dropped sharply, while some new AI-related careers have emerged. Based on the analysis of million-level job data, this study provides us with valuable insight into the transformation of the labor market in the AI era, and also triggers reflections on future employment trends, which is worth our in-depth discussion.
Generative AI has had a significant impact on the freelancing market since the launch of ChatGPT, especially in positions that are prone to automation, according to a new study.
The study, reported by Harvard Business Review, analyzes the list of 1.4 million jobs published on a major freelancer platform between July 2021 and July 2023. The study found that the demand for “automation-oriented” jobs fell by an average of 21% after ChatGPT was launched compared to manual intensive work.
Among all kinds of freelancing jobs, writing positions have suffered the biggest impact, with the number of postings of related positions falling by 30.37%. Demand for software and web development jobs also fell by 20.62%, while demand for engineering jobs decreased by 10.42%.
This impact is not limited to the fields of writing and programming. With the launch of AI image generation tools such as Midjourney, Stable Diffusion and DALL-E, the number of job postings for graphic designers and 3D modelers has dropped by 17.01% compared to manual intensive jobs, and is currently not recovering in the job market. signs.
The researchers point out that these effects are significantly greater than previous waves of automation. Taking French industry as an example, when robot usage increased by 20%, related employment fell by only 3.2%. Unlike previous automation technologies, generative artificial intelligence has the ability to continuously improve and can affect nearly all industries.
The shrinking of the job market has led to intensifying competition. Since the launch of ChatGPT, the average number of applicants per release for automation positions has increased by 8.57%. At the same time, requirements for required skills also rose by 2.18%, and customer budgets increased by 5.71%. Industry that often seek to use AI tools, such as writing and engineering, suffer particularly severe losses. In artificial activities such as audio and video editing, although the interest in AI tools is still low, it is affected very little.
While some traditional freelancing seems to be declining, AI has also created conditions for the emergence of new opportunities. Since the launch of ChatGPT, the number of posts requiring ChatGPT skills has increased by an average of 0.68 per week. The study found that 903 positions require ChatGPT-related skills, 88% of which are automation activities and 82% involve software and web development. In addition, the study also found that women have significantly lower probability of using ChatGPT at work than men.
Researchers suggest that companies should focus on training low-skilled workers in AI tools, as this group shows the greatest productivity gain potential. They noted that AI is shifting its focus from predictable tasks to activities that require human judgment and decision-making.
Points:
Research shows that since the release of ChatGPT, the demand for freelancers with automation tendencies has dropped by an average of 21%.
Writing positions were most affected, with demand falling by more than 30%.
New opportunities are also emerging, with ChatGPT skill post releases continuing to grow, up about 0.68 per week.
In summary, this study clearly demonstrates the disruptive impact of generative AI on the freelancing market. Although some occupations face challenges, they have also given rise to new job opportunities. Adapting to and embracing AI technology will become the key to future workplace competition.