AI SHIFT LEADS TIKTOK TO SLASH HUNDREDS OF JOBS

Sun 13 October 2024:

Social media platform TikTok said it will slash hundreds of jobs, with a significant number of employees in Malaysia expected to be affected, as the company shifts to AI-assisted content moderation.

TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, said Friday it would cut several hundred jobs around the world, without providing a breakdown by country.

Less than 500 jobs in Malaysia are expected to be affected by the move.

A TikTok spokesperson said that the job cuts were part of an effort to boost content moderation.

“We expect to invest $2 billion globally in trust and safety in 2024 alone and are continuing to improve the efficacy of our efforts, with 80% of violative content now removed by automated technologies,” the spokesperson said in a brief statement.

The company uses a combination of human moderators and automated detection to review content posted on the platform.

The restructuring follows months of speculation that TikTok was planning to significantly reduce its global operations and marketing workforce.

According to the company website, ByteDance has over 110,000 employees based out of more than 200 cities globally.

The layoffs also come as tech giants face increased regulatory pressure in Malaysia, where a surge of malicious content on social media was reported earlier this year.

The government of the Southeast Asian country has since asked social media platforms to apply for an operating licence in an effort to tackle rising cybercrime, including online fraud, sexual crimes against children and cyberbullying.

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AI and Job Cuts

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries worldwide, bringing both opportunities and challenges. One of the most significant impacts is on the workforce, where automation is leading to job cuts in certain sectors. AI excels in handling repetitive, routine tasks more efficiently than humans. Jobs in industries like manufacturing, data entry, and customer service are particularly vulnerable. Automated systems and chatbots are replacing human roles, reducing the need for manual labor in these areas.

AI isn’t just affecting blue-collar jobs; white-collar roles are also at risk. Tasks in finance, healthcare, and legal professions—such as data analysis, document review, and diagnostics—are increasingly being handled by AI algorithms, streamlining operations but also reducing human involvement.

The Upside: New Opportunities However, while AI is cutting some jobs, it’s also creating new opportunities. Emerging roles in AI development, data science, and tech support are in high demand. As industries evolve, workers will need to upskill and adapt to new technologies.

AI may not entirely replace human jobs but rather reshape them. Many experts believe the future lies in collaboration, where AI handles routine tasks, allowing humans to focus on creativity, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills that machines cannot replicate.

AI’s role in job cuts is undeniable, but with proper adaptation and upskilling, workers can thrive alongside advancing technologies, shaping a more dynamic and efficient workforce for the future.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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