BY: SARA ANUAR

A growing number of Malaysians are suffering from the phobia caused by the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology and automation which they feel are quickly displacing them at the workplace.

These fears that they harbour are compounded by redundancies and lay offs in declining industries around the country and many Malaysians are of the view and opinion that their future is bleak.

Malaysian prime minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, however, holds to a contrarian view that the emerging technologies would boost productivity and is able to create jobs for many Malaysians to sustain them.

But many Malaysians disbelieve him and are loath to go for re-training and re-education to fit in with the current spate of high tech jobs which they feel do not offer them meaningful employment as they are mostly meaningless work.

While complaints and grouses are many, others cite the fast changing marketplace is to be blamed for the end of lifetime employment causing them to become disoriented from job hopping and being unable to pick up skills and knowledge.

This is actually the changing scenario of the employment market globally and Malaysians, especially youth, would be well advised to brace up for the challenges they will face in the future while mature age workers will have to play catch up.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher