Heini Hult-Miekkavaara: Social scientists are not experts of a disappearing world

The quick evolution of AI and the transformation of working life are causing uncertainty about the future. When attachment to working life becomes more difficult and the traditional career paths are changing, many social science students are wondering what kind of opportunities the future might hold. Will there still be a place for their skills and expertise in a changing world of work?

Critical thinking is not an outdated skill

Different kinds of AI solutions can undeniably increase efficiency at work and help us find solutions to the various challenges of our times. They already free up time from routine tasks, support information processing, and help experts to focus on more demanding analysis, interaction and decision-making.

AI cannot, however, define societal goals, make value judgements or take responsibility for their consequences. It does not take responsibility for fairness, democracy or sustainability.
Critical thinking, assessing the accuracy of information, systemic understanding, ethical deliberation and examining the activities of the powers that be, institutions and people are not outdated skills in the AI era.

The AI revolution is more likely to increase the value of social science competence than reduce it.

Contradictions in the public debate

Against this backdrop, the current public debate in Finland is filled with contradictions. On the one hand, there is talk of difficult transformations in society, but at the same time cuts are being made to the public sector, research, non-profit organisations and civil society – exactly the actors whose job it is to understand the repercussions of changes and create solutions to complex problems.

In the debate on expertise, it is often forgotten that competence does not just mean mastering information and methods. Growing into an expert builds on one’s understanding of how different phenomena are intertwined, how changes can be assessed, and how our actions can impact the world around us. Our worldview takes shape, and this worldview is what guides what we want to influence with our competence.

By its very nature, academic competence is transformative and changes society.

At a time when AI, the sustainability transition, democratic challenges and the polarisation of society are all changing society at the same time, we are desperately in need of people who understand the structures of institutions and how changes influence them.

A career is a meaningful way to make a difference

Our understanding of careers is also changing. A career is not only a chain of employment, but rather a way to make a difference. More and more people actively consider and make career decisions based on what kind of impact their work will have on society and the surrounding world.

For fewer and fewer people, their career is a story of personal success; instead, it is increasingly common that careers are built to answer the question “what kind of future do I want to build for others?”.

That is why the uncertainty in working life today and the condescending attitude towards expertise touches many people. It is justified to feel uncertain about one’s skills, professional identity and even place in society. Do we even value the kind of skills that aim to create a good future for others anymore?

The worldview and skills of social scientists are needed to allow us to manage the AI revolution, the sustainability transition, or the future of the welfare society in a fair way. Therefore current social science professionals are not experts of a disappearing world that can be replaced by AI.

Heini Hult-Miekkavaara, M.Soc.Sc.

The author is an Expert at YKA’s Career Services and a Career Coach. She has extensive experience of the careers and questions on working life of university graduates through her career in Akava trade unions, higher education and self-employment.