Categories
Uncategorized

Want to hear some Realities about GenAI and Telecom Jobs?

This is my view of the telecom industry’s shift towards remote work and project-based models, suggesting that professionals who embrace AI as a tool rather than a threat will navigate the future job market more successfully.
I look at the impact of AI and market dynamics on employment, emphasizing that job security hinges on individual value and adaptability rather than AI’s advancement. Highlighting the vulnerability of middle management and routine jobs to AI integration, while underscoring the importance of innovation and strategic decision-making roles.

AI won’t take any of your jobs anytime soon. Actually, companies will reduce staff with or without AI, that’s the reality. It has less to do with AI and more to do with the market, sales, and profit. 

One of the things I learned is that if you’re valuable, the company will keep you as long as they can. It helps to be as valuable as you can possibly be. This is very hard in a big company. 

I noticed politics plays a big part. Actually, while we all think it’s politics, it’s really just stepping up and going the extra mile without being a dick or a cunt. You have to try to do better and ask for feedback often. If you can build loyalty in a large company, it really helps you remain employed for as long as they can. 

However, some people think being really good is all you have to do to remain valuable. I will tell you that if you’re an asshole, then you’re going to be expendable. It won’t take someone long to learn what you know, especially at a larger company. 

However, today companies care very little about employees, individual employees. Below the executives, you may not have a lot of value and they are secretly hoping that AI will replace you. Don’t take it personally, they want to save as much money as they can to impress shareholders and increase their quarterly bonuses. 

Sure, early in the day when the company president or department head gives the “ra-ra” speech to the employees they will tell you how valuable each and every one of you are and that there is a long term plan to grow and expand. Then maybe that night or a month later, they send you that dreaded email asking you to turn in your laptop and phone because you’ve been reduced. The dreaded RIF, reduction-in-force. Oh to be riffed really sucks.

Today, most of us see it coming. We usually know when the work slows down or when we read about how the company is bleeding money. Most of us see the writing on the walls. The executives have to make you think things are fine right up until it isn’t. It’s not easy for them, or at least I would like to think so

What about AI replacing me?

OK, sorry, I digress. What jobs will AI replace. If you listen to the movies, you probably are thinking we will be replaced tomorrow. Nothing could be further from the truth!

I said previously that I expect white collar jobs to be taken away by AI more than blue collar. This is just how it is going to happen. Most companies that want to use AI are focusing on customer support and inside sales because that is the low hanging fruit. Creators have focused on how to create simple LLMs that could react to anyone’s FAQs. A repeatable and learnable function. The more questions thrown at it, the quicker it learns. That is assuming someone doesn’t teach it wrong. 

We will need decision makers in high places, or so the executives think so today. But those poor middle managers will start to be removed and one person will be asked to cover more and more using the GenAI interface to help them make more decisions faster and more accurately. Eventually they will hire less qualified people. These interns will learn to use the interface to solve problems and the experienced people who made more money will be looking for something new or to be consultants. 

The reality is, androids are not replacing anyone yet. Hell, self-driving vehicles still have issues. So all you tower and site construction guys, don’t worry. Your worst problem is the turf model and how it sucked out the revenue from all of your pockets. As you’ve noticed, the 5G worked dried up and there is little if any work. Certainly not enough to keep all of you, sorry. The work dried up and most of you already feel it. The reality is the carriers see you as temporary and expendable. My friends, I have been there and it hurts when suddenly you’re no longer needed. It’s time for you to move on if you’re not working today or if you see the work coming to an end. Don’t be afraid to ask what your next 5 jobs will be. Are there 5 more sites scheduled ahead? If not, then think about what to do next. When I say move on, start looking outside this industry, they didn’t appreciate you anyway. 

If you’re in customer service or inside sales, you already feel the pain of AI unless you’ve figured out how to use GenAI to support your responses. You may be the one who is training the LLC models for your specific company responses. This is like building an automated FAQ interface. The online chats have become so much better. This will be great until the chat becomes almost indistinguishable from a person. Then it won’t be long until they only have a few people where they used to have many. This is already happening in other industries. 

If you’re outside sales, then I would think you have little to worry about, at least in telecom. With software, they don’t have as many outside sales people so they can rely on influencers and websites. In telecom, relationships are key. At least today they are. That and you have to deal with procurement, approvals, connections, and onboarding. There are a lot of barriers when dealing with larger telecom. 

Middle management will take a real hit, at least this is my prediction. Those decision makers and managers that you see are stacked heavily in nearly every telecom company in the US. I can’t believe how many layers of management there are in these corporations. It’s unbelievable and it’s about to be broken. I am thinking that the management structure at companies is going to change. While the companies say they don’t want work-from-home (WFH) people,this will probably change to more of a contractor-based model where fewer people need office space. We’re so automated now that it only makes sense to move towards task based results and away from hours at the office. A project manager will be responsible for seeing much of this happen with more contractors and fewer employees. 

Project Managers will, like always, be asked to do more so the company can have fewer PMs. This is where AI functions will have to support simple decision making and scheduling so that one person can manage more people and projects. They also have to manage financials, so they will rely less and less on CFO people and enter it into the model. If you’re a PM and the day drags, be worried. If you’re a PM and you’re overwhelmed, then you should feel better. 

Financial teams will rely on AI more and more. They will be asked to do more with fewer people as well. This is the one sector where the decision and strategy people will be leaned on heavily because they will not trust AI to make financial decisions. However, I have been reading about GenAI tools to populate and build spreadsheets once you create the model. None of these have worked well for me. Once we overcome this barrier, things will accelerate rapidly for finance and project management. Spreadsheets still rule at work, like it or not. We still use spreadsheets for everything. Nothing has replaced them yet. From my perspective, they’re not going anywhere. I was using them in the form of Lotus 123 back in the 80s, then Excel and now I use Excel and Google Sheets. I am not fond of Apple’s Numbers, sorry. Until GenAI can take my data and populate my spreadsheets, I am not too worried. 

Software engineers will feel the heat. Unless you’re creating new and innovative software, you may be replaced. Even I tested LLM models to create new programs, and it worked very well. Will this lead to innovation? Maybe it will make people think they can use GenAI to build programs that once required talented and experienced people to do. Cheaper workers using AI, does this pattern sound familiar? I would think software engineers will need to do more with less, be very creative, or innovate to stay relevant. 

RF Engineers will start to feel the pain. Look at how simple software models have made predictive models. I expect this trend to continue to the point where we have anyone doing the modeling for new networks. This is already being outsourced by many and unfortunately is losing value in many carrier’s eyes.

Field engineers can’t be replaced yet. Although the more things can be done remotely the less they have to be dispatched. The thing is, we still need to visit customers, sites, or remote locations when something breaks. Whether you’re in IT, RF, towers, or copiers. You still need to visit the site or customer. 

Training professionals will still be needed, but will they train customers at their facility or in a school? Probably not. More and more will be done via remote live video and recorded video. We still need some way to answer difficult questions. This is still a requirement. We still need experts. 

What about SMEs? Well, we still need experts. We still need their training, knowledge, and experience. It’s something that may or may not be taught to an AI interface. To be honest, I am a SME when it comes to wireless and deployments. The companies I have worked for and with, as an employee and consultant, have always expected to quickly replace me once they’ve learned what I taught them. I wish they would but the thing is, I continue to learn and adapt, as they should be doing. I have been told that my job would be replaced with offshore teams, specifically India or China. I haven’t seen that yet. They have the people, don’t get me wrong, very smart people in those countries. The thing is, those experts also want paid, maybe more than me. So, that model did not work. Now with AI, it may help improve the model, but AI needs to continuously adapt for human nature and environments. I am sure someday it will do that. Today, I don’t see anyone putting the time and effort to replace such a small group when the larger workforce is easier to mimic and replace. 

What’s the AI plan going forward?

The reality is, business is still business. Creators want to create a GenAI model that can be sold to the most people. They will target the low hanging fruit and the largest business cases first. Those are the people they want to build models around so large corporations and midsize businesses buy their apps. Business is about making money as quickly as you can. Building the SME model takes time and money and offers limited rewards whereas customer service or project management is something that can be sold to the masses today. 

Business owners and executives want minimal staff, plain and simple. Fewer employees and benefits means higher margins and less bullshit to deal with. While you will learn that at business and investment school, it’s not something they publicize.

Let’s sum it up:

The Future of Work: Navigating AI and Market Dynamics

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and employment, the specter of AI looms large. Yet, the reality is more nuanced than a simple equation of AI equals job loss. Market forces, sales, and profit margins are the true drivers of staffing changes. AI, while influential, is but one factor among many.

Valuing Value: The Key to Job Security

In any organization, your value is your currency. Being indispensable means more than just showing up; it involves excelling in your role and contributing to the company’s success. This is particularly challenging in larger corporations, where visibility and recognition can be hard to come by.

Beyond Politics: The Art of Professionalism

Often mistaken for mere office politics, the art of professional advancement is really about going above and beyond—without stepping on others. Building a reputation for reliability and excellence is crucial. Remember, technical skills can be learned, but a positive attitude is irreplaceable.

The Harsh Truth: Corporate Realities

It’s an open secret that many companies, especially below the executive level, view employees as expendable. This isn’t personal; it’s business. The drive to maximize profits and please shareholders can lead to workforce reductions, often communicated through impersonal channels.

AI’s Role: An Evolving Workforce

AI is not set to replace us overnight. Instead, it’s finding its niche in areas like customer support and inside sales—roles with repetitive and predictable tasks. As AI tools become more sophisticated, they will augment, rather than replace, human decision-makers.

The Unseen Heroes: Tower and Site Construction Workers

For those in the field, like tower and site construction workers, the fear of being replaced by AI is unfounded. The industry’s challenges are more about market saturation and less about technological displacement. It’s essential to stay agile and be prepared for the industry’s ebbs and flows.

Customer Service and Sales: Adapting to AI

In customer-facing roles, AI can be a double-edged sword. It offers efficiency but also brings change. Embracing these tools and learning to work alongside them is the best strategy for staying relevant.

The Management Shift: A Leaner Future

Middle management is poised for a transformation. As companies streamline their structures, the role of managers will evolve. The shift towards remote work and contractor models will demand adaptability and a focus on results over hours logged.

Project Management and Finance: AI as an Ally

Project managers and financial teams will increasingly rely on AI for routine tasks, freeing them to tackle more complex challenges. This partnership with technology will enable professionals to manage greater responsibilities and make more strategic contributions.

Software and RF Engineers: The Imperative to Innovate

For engineers, the pressure is on to innovate. As AI begins to handle more routine coding tasks, the value lies in creativity and the ability to solve novel problems.

To clarify:

  • AI = Artificial Intelligence.
  • ChatGPT = Chat generative pre-trained transformer which is built on OpenAI’s platform to make AI interactive.
  • FAQ = Frequently Asked Questions.
  • GenAI = Generative Artificial Intelligence which is a ChatGPT interface.
  • LLM = Large Language Models, which are used to program and teach Generative AI.
  • ML = Machine Learning.
  • SME = Subject Matter Expert.

Get the Private Wireless Networks Handbook!

More:

Offers available:

  • All my older Deployment books and SOW training can be bought here!
  • Need unlimited mobile service for a good price? I use Visible and I like them. Think about Visible. Check out this deal https://www.visible.com/get/?ZHfvq, not too shabby.
  • Looking for a new credit card? I have an Amazon Prime card because I get 5% on Amazon purchases along with 2% on restaurants and gas and 1% on everything else. I love it! Use this link to get one.

Small business owners: Looking to sell or merge? I have partners looking to partner with small tech & IT businesses. Details:

  • Looking for companies in IT, Fiber (indoor or outdoor), wireless, Wi-Fi, FWA, Venue or DAS.
  • Looking for owners ready to sell or retire.
  • Smaller companies, maybe 4 to 15 employees.
  • Concentrating on the East coast, but open to US based businesses,
  • Email me at wade@techfecta.com.

Looking for investment? I have investors! 

  • Who they can help:
    • Companies or people who need to grow, expand, hire more.
    • Someone who wants to purchase a business to expand.
    • Grow your teams.
    • Maybe you need funding to consolidate.
    • US based.
    • Maybe looking for $10M and up,

Email me at wade@techfecta.com to be vetted.

Leave a Reply