Costa rica – A leading digital interaction specialist is sounding the alarm about the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence (AI), predicting significant job losses and a need for radical changes to the educational system. Carlos Alberto Scolari, speaking at the launch of the Open Chair of Interactive Digital Communication for Education at the national Distance University (UNED) on August 28th, warned of a coming “earthquake” in the job market driven by AI’s increasing capabilities. His analysis focuses on the impact on “textucentric” professions and the urgent need to adapt educational interfaces for a new reality. The discussion centers on how to navigate AI’s integration into learning, rather than outright prohibition.
job Displacement: Scolari predicts AI will lead to job losses, particularly in “textucentric” professions like journalism, advertising, public relations, design, translation, and even programming. Corporations are incentivized to reduce personnel costs by leveraging AI.
The “Precariado”: A hidden workforce in developing nations is employed in low-wage roles to train AI algorithms, raising ethical concerns about labor practices.
The Irony for Programmers: the very individuals who create AI are now facing potential job displacement due to its capabilities.
Outdated Educational Model: The current educational system, designed for the industrial era, is ill-equipped to handle the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. It struggles to engage students and contain their use of new technologies.
The “Arms Race” in classrooms: Students are actively finding ways to circumvent AI detection, such as intentionally introducing errors into AI-generated content, demonstrating a constant back-and-forth.
Regulation vs. Prohibition: Scolari argues that banning AI tools in schools is ineffective. He advocates for a more flexible and adaptive regulatory approach.
| Profession | Impact of AI | Trend |
| — — — — — — -| — — — — — — — — — — — — — — -| — — — — — — — — — — — — -|
| Journalism | Automated content generation, news summaries | Declining job opportunities |
| Advertising | AI-powered ad creation & targeting | Shift towards data-driven campaigns |
| Public Relations | AI-assisted content creation & analysis | Increased efficiency, fewer roles |
| Design | AI-generated design options | Automation of basic design tasks |
| Translation/Interpretation | Machine translation improvements | Reduced demand for human translators|
| Programming | AI-assisted code generation | Automation of coding tasks |
Scolari emphasizes that an “interface” isn’t limited to technology; it’s any point of interaction. Schools and universities are “educational interfaces” connecting students, institutions, and technology. However, this interface is outdated and failing to meet the needs of modern learners. The rise of AI is a “disruptive actor” forcing a re-evaluation of how we teach and learn.
Sources: Facts derived from the provided text detailing Carlos Alberto Scolari’s presentation at UNED.
