How is AI replacing humans in a company in Courbevoie?
In Hauts-de-Seine, in Courbevoie, 217 employees out of 380 will lose their jobs by June 2024 in a media monitoring company. They will be replaced by software based on artificial intelligence. This is an unprecedented social plan in France.
The company in question is called Onclusive and offers its clients personalized press reviews. Every day, employees research, select and synthesize press articles relevant to the needs of their clients. This research and data cross-checking work will therefore ultimately be carried out by artificial intelligence software.
According to management, these profound changes were necessary to ensure the sustainability of the company in the face of competition and technological developments. It promises faster and more reliable service thanks to AI.
What are the consequences for dismissed employees?
The dismissed employees are in shock and denounce a human and social disaster. They feel betrayed by their employer who trained them to use the artificial intelligence tools that will now replace them. They also worry about their professional future, because they have little chance of finding a similar job in the sector .
The unions have already initiated negotiations with management to obtain an employment protection plan (PSE) commensurate with this sudden transformation. They are demanding severance pay, support and training measures, as well as psychological monitoring for affected employees.
The first layoffs and departures are expected in January and will last until June 2024.
Will AI destroy all jobs in France?
AI is a threat that looms over all jobs, whether simple or complex, manual or intellectual. It can replace humans in fields as varied as finance, law, medicine or education. According to an alarming study by McKinsey , by 2030, 60% of professions could disappear due to automation.
But is AI really inevitable? Can it also create opportunities for workers? Can it improve the quality of life of employees by sparing them the most difficult and monotonous tasks?
These questions are crucial for the future of work in France. We must prepare for the radical changes that AI will cause and train for the skills that will be in demand tomorrow. We must also ensure that AI respects the ethical and democratic principles that underpin our society.
