AI and IT: How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing Information Technology Jobs

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into work solutions in virtually every industry. The field of IT is leading the charge, with nearly half of all IT departments at large organizations already incorporating AI into their work portfolios, designing and implementing AI technology to improve operations across organizations.

As AI becomes more and more commonplace, IT professionals can’t help but wonder if some IT jobs will eventually be replaced by AI?

The answer to this question continues to evolve with the capabilities of artificial intelligence. But there are some things the experts already agree on:

• Some IT jobs will shift in scope and function, a few may go away, and new IT functions/jobs will emerge.
• As AI takes over rote/routine functions, IT professionals will be elevated to tasks that are human-led.
• The best way to safeguard your IT career is to keep learning and stay abreast of industry changes, including AI progress.

Key Takeaways

• • Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing IT across all its functions: From network management and security to data analytics and service management, AI is automating tasks, improving efficiency, and unlocking valuable insights.
  • AI fosters collaboration, not replacement: IT professionals will not be replaced by AI, but rather empowered by it. AI will handle repetitive tasks, freeing up human expertise for strategic planning, system design, and creative problem-solving.
  • Ethical considerations are paramount: Bias in AI algorithms can lead to discriminatory outcomes. It’s crucial to develop and use AI responsibly, ensuring transparency and the ability to clearly explain its decision-making processes.
  • Continuous learning is key: As artificial intelligence evolves, IT professionals need to embrace continuous learning and upskilling to adapt and leverage its full potential.

Automation

Incident management was one of the first areas of IT to be significantly impacted by artificial intelligence.  Routine tasks such as submitting tickets to a help desk, monitoring the progress of cases, and providing solutions to common issues are now easily automated with machine learning. Thanks to machine intelligence and generative AI, systems monitor and improve their own performance, identifying patterns and efficiencies with greater speed and accuracy than humans can achieve.

The ultimate goals of AI automation are error reduction, increased predictability, and stabilized costs. AI makes it easier and quicker for IT professionals to diagnose and solve network issues that previously would have required hours of manual intervention, elevating the IT worker’s role to focus on more human-led tasks that AI cannot replace.

Responsibilities are already being redefined and redistributed, but that won’t necessarily result in a reduction in the number of IT staff. As more advanced AI is implemented for more functions across organizations, affecting every department from reception to accounting to manufacturing, IT professionals are responsible for designing and implementing these AI solutions, as well as maintaining them and improving efficiencies in how AI and humans work together.

The ultimate goals of IT automation are error reduction, increased predictability, and stabilized costs.

Data Management and Insights

Another significant area affected by AI automation is data management. Today’s databases are still largely maintained manually, with individuals performing routine tasks such as backups, updates, and patch management, as well as manual manipulation of data that includes cleaning, extracting, integrating, cataloging, organizing, and interpreting.

While these tasks are manageable when the influx of data is limited, rapidly increasing numbers of data sources are now able to provide access to ever-growing amounts of important and often private information (big data).  The processes of manually extracting, cleaning, and structuring data has become an overwhelming task with an exponentially increased risk of errors, missed opportunities, and security breaches.

As more IT departments move to automated database management AI is increasingly taking over tasks including:

• Organizing the large amounts of data (big data) received from numerous sources
• Defining which data is most relevant to solving performance problems
• Automating action plans to solve common problems like password resets and routine troubleshooting using AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants.
• Identifying patterns, correlations, anomalies, and trends in the data

With artificial intelligence, it takes just hours to accomplish tasks that previously would have taken Data Administrators days, or even weeks. And with much greater accuracy that humans can achieve. In addition, AI models can now use machine learning algorithms that act as virtual security guards by scanning large datasets for abnormalities.

These AI solutions can mitigate threats such as malware and shadow data or even assess the threat of login attempts that deviate from standard user behavior. Accordingly, the job functions database personnel and are expected to shift into more of the realm of  interpreting and analyzing data, and consulting on how it should be applied to strategic business decisions.

Acceleration of Innovation

While the topic often shifts to job displacement when discussing AI’s impact on the field of IT, a more nuanced picture emerges when we consider the collaborative potential. Artificial intelligence is not designed to replace IT professionals; instead, it can augment their capabilities by handling repetitive tasks and providing real-time insights, as detailed above. This allows IT professionals to focus on higher-level functions like strategic planning, system design, and problem-solving that require human expertise and creativity.

Rather than replacing IT workers, AI is providing tools to help them reach new levels.

Working with AI, IT departments can significantly increase performance and efficiency in a number of areas including:

• Network Management: AI-powered tools can analyze network traffic patterns, predict potential issues like bottlenecks or cyberattacks, and even take automated corrective actions. This proactive approach significantly reduces downtime and improves network efficiency.
• Security & Threat Detection: Traditional security methods often struggle to keep pace with evolving cyber threats. AI, however, can analyze vast datasets of network activity, user behavior, and threat intelligence in real-time. This allows it to identify and respond to anomalies and malicious patterns far faster than humans, significantly enhancing IT security.
• Automation & Orchestration: AI is streamlining complex IT processes. It can automate provisioning, configuration, and deployment of infrastructure and applications, minimizing human error and ensuring consistency. Moreover, AI can orchestrate workflows across different IT systems, leading to increased efficiency and reduced operational costs.

Rather than replacing IT workers, AI is providing tools to help them reach new levels in providing IT service and insights to improve performance across all department in their organization. Some experts predict IT operations jobs to shift from supporting computer systems to maintaining the AI that maintains the systems. After all, AI doesn’t work without human brains and know-how to program and maintain it, as well as analyze and validate its results.

We are a long way off from machines that can replace human reasoning and decision making, which will become even more valuable among IT professionals.

Embracing the Future of AI-powered IT

The integration of AI into IT is still in its early stages, but the potential is undeniable. AI is not simply a new tool in the IT arsenal; it is paving the way for a new era of intelligent infrastructure.

As AI algorithms continue to evolve and data sets grow exponentially, we can expect even more transformative AI applications to emerge. To navigate this dynamic landscape, IT professionals need to embrace continuous learning and upskilling to adapt to the changing environment. Organizations need to invest in robust AI governance frameworks and prioritize ethical considerations.

Certificate options and degrees such as the Associate of Science in Information Technology offered by the University of Cincinnati (UC) are ideal to give students the latest knowledge and skills to stay on the forefront of AI trends and technology including AI.

Kristi Hall, Assistant Professor in the Information Technology Department at the University of Cincinnati says AI is now included in the curriculum for all IT programs. “In our programs, students use AI for everything from writing papers to generating ideas, and even troubleshooting code. We also discuss the social and ethical implications of AI to give students a more global perspective of the technology.”

The journey ahead for IT professionals will be one of continuous adaptation and exploration with the rewards of increased productivity, enhanced security, and a data-driven approach to IT. By embracing AI and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, IT professionals can unlock its immense potential to create a future of more efficient and secure IT operations.

To learn more about preparing for the shifting landscape in the field of IT, explore UC’s IT programs, all of which can be earned 100% online.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What can I do with an Associate Degree in Information Technology?

An associate degree in Information Technology will put you on the right path to grow in the IT field. A few career opportunities include:

• Computer Systems Analyst
• Network and Computer System Administrator
• Computer Support Specialist
• Computer Programmer
• Web Developer

How long does it take to complete an Associate Degree in Information Technology?

Full-time with no transfer credit, it will take you five semesters (under two years) to complete the associate degree including summer semesters. Attending part-time with no transfer credit you can expect to complete the associate degree in two years including summer semesters.

Summer semester for the Associate Financial Management program means a semester similar to fall and spring semester in duration and credits is required to graduate within two years.

Can I transfer credits from UC’s AAB in Information Technology toward a bachelor’s degree in IT at UC?

Yes! UC’s AAB in IT is designed to transfer seamlessly to our Bachelor of Science in Information Technology or Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, both of which have online and on-campus options.