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AI-powered virtual employees could hit the workforce within a year, according to Jason Clinton, chief information security officer at Anthropic. In comments to Axios, Clinton noted that, while the technology is advancing fast, major security hurdles remain before fully autonomous digital workers become a reality.
Taking workforce automation to the next level
The concept behind agentic AI isn’t new. Researchers and developers have been leveraging AI agents for several years, and they’re often used to introduce a level of autonomy that isn’t typically seen in AI systems. Modern AI agents are capable of many autonomous activities, including:
- Mimicking human behavior
- Taking specific actions based on various events
- Gathering and organizing data
- Making complex decisions
- Interacting with users, the environment, and other integrated systems
The idea of a virtual workforce takes the automation seen in agentic AI to the next level. Not only will virtual workers be able to simulate human actions, collect data, and make key decisions, but they’ll also have their own virtual memories. The AI workers even have their own system login credentials.
Solving security problems with agentic AI virtual employees
However, Clinton pointed out key issues that need to be addressed, including security issues, before agentic AI can replace human workers.
For example, what happens if their accounts are phished, hacked, or otherwise compromised? How much network access should they have? Perhaps even more importantly, who will be held accountable if something goes wrong?
“In that world, there are so many problems that we haven’t solved yet from a security perspective that we need to solve,” Clinton said.
Recognizing these risks, some cybersecurity developers have already started rolling out solutions. New software, including various AI governance tools, is emerging to help monitor and manage “non-human entities” as they enter the workplace.
Addressing legal and ethical concerns about virtual AI workers
But security issues are just the tip of the iceberg; legal and ethical questions about workforce displacement, algorithmic bias, and digital accountability exist. Policymakers and businesses may need to grapple with these considerations before machines displace large numbers of workers. A recent eWeek article even noted how humans might make a living if AI takes over the workforce.
AI-proofing your career
Another eWeek article by TechnologyAdvice Managing Editor Chris Bernard on how to stay employed when AI is taking over jobs identified these careers as most likely to be resilient: healthcare professionals, teachers, social workers, writers, designers, and artists, as well as AI developers.
In addition, strategies to remain competitive include: upskilling and reskilling, embracing soft skills, adapting to emerging technologies, and seeking growth industries.