Is AI Coming for Your Job?

Genevieve Mensah / August 19, 2025

Imagine spending weeks perfecting your CV, writing a passionate cover letter, and applying for your dream job only to be screened out before a human ever sees your name. Welcome to the world of AI in recruitment. Artificial Intelligence is no longer in movies; it’s already sitting quietly in the background of most business processes, including hiring, customer service, content creation, and more. If you’ve ever applied for a job at a large organization, chances are an algorithm decided your fate long before a human did. “Companies like MTN receive thousands of CVs for a single job posting,” said Kobby ‘Spiky’ Nkrumah, IT Manager at Quantum LC Ltd. “There’s no way the HR department can manually go through all of them. AI tools are used to screen and shortlist candidates based on set criteria. If your CV doesn’t contain the right keywords that match the job, you’ve already been cut off and you won’t even know it.” Mr. Nkrumah was speaking on Springboard, Your Virtual University with Rev. Albert Ocran, as part of the ongoing series AI in Business: Closer Than You Think. He didn’t mince words about the reality many professionals are avoiding: “If you sit down and think about your job and realize it can be automated, you’re at risk.” AI can analyze data faster, respond instantly, and work without sleep, salary, or bad days. But is it all doom and gloom? Not exactly. Jobs that involve deep human interaction, critical thinking, creativity, or emotional intelligence are still very safe for now. “A chatbot can answer simple questions,” Kobby said. “But if your service is built on human connection, don’t hide behind tech. There’s something we call ‘human in the mix.’ At some point, the machine must hand over to a real person.” He gave the example of businesses that lose customers because they rely too heavily on automated systems. “Not every issue should be handled by AI. The moment your customer feels misunderstood, you’ve lost them. That’s where a human should step in.” So what’s the way forward? According to Mr. Nkrumah, the solution isn’t to run from AI, it’s to learn how to work with it. “Ten years ago, nobody thought they’d be called an AI trainer or prompt engineer. But today, people are being paid to train AI models, flag inappropriate content, or help algorithms understand human context.” He believes this digital shift is opening doors, especially for young people and small businesses. “Your customer can be in Ghana, Australia, or even North Korea; tech tools give you that reach. SMEs should start thinking beyond their local audience.” The biggest takeaway from the conversation is this: AI is not here to destroy jobs. It’s here to change how work is done. And whether you thrive or not will depend on how quickly you adapt. “If your job is repetitive, predictable, and doesn’t need human creativity or emotion, it’s a target,” he said. “But if you can build something AI can’t replicate your humanity, your judgement, your ideas, you’re not just safe. You’re in demand.” So, is AI coming for your job? Only if you stand still while the world moves forward. About Springboard, Your Virtual UniversitySpringboard, Your Virtual University is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast hosted by Rev. Albert Ocran. It airs every Sunday at 7 PM on Springboardzone (YouTube) and Joy FM, and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. The ongoing AI for All series breaks down what artificial intelligence means for Africa’s future and how individuals can position themselves to grow in the new digital economy. By Faustina Yeboah

“AI Makes Us Better, Not Lazy,” Says Tech Expert Kobby ‘Spiky’ Nkrumah

Technology expert Kobby ‘Spiky’ Nkrumah says artificial intelligence (AI) is not making people lazy, but rather helping individuals become more efficient, creative, and productive. “We may seem to think that progress is making us lazy, but it is alleviating us from simple tasks that we could just give to something else to do. And then we could explore much more difficult tasks,” he said. Speaking on Springboard, Your Virtual University with Rev. Albert Ocran, the IT Manager at Quantum LC Ltd, explained that AI has been around since the 1950s, but only gained mass attention in the 2020s with the rise of tools like ChatGPT. Long before that, he noted, people had already been using AI in everyday tools without knowing it. “Google Maps is a great example. It tracks how many people are on a particular road, how fast they’re moving, and uses that data to determine where there’s traffic. That’s AI. Your social media feed? It recommends content based on your interests, not because someone is manually tracking you, but because AI is learning your behavior,” he said. Mr. Nkrumah argued that the power of AI lies in how it mimics human intelligence without being held back by distractions or emotions. “Humans have to think about what to eat or what to wear. AI doesn’t have mood swings or bad days. It just gets the job done faster and more accurately,” he said. Touching on the belief that AI is only for lazy people, “Then I’m lazy,” he said. “I’ve always looked for efficiency in my work. If a task can be automated, why repeat it? AI has helped me learn more and do more.” He also pointed out that while current AI systems are designed for specific tasks, the future will see more general-purpose AI that can handle multiple complex assignments. “We’re not there yet, but it’s coming,” he said. For Mr. Nkrumah, the real value of AI comes down to how well you use it. “Even giving AI the right prompt is a skill. If you know how to use it well, you’ll benefit more. If you don’t, you won’t. That’s the difference.” He challenged people to stop glorifying suffering and rethink what productivity should look like in this era. “We’ve inherited a culture that glorifies struggle. But what if AI could do the math for you and give you room to solve higher problems? Isn’t that progress?” he asked. The conversation forms part of the ongoing AI for All series on Springboard, Your Virtual University, which is exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping work, learning, creativity, and everyday life. About Springboard, Your Virtual UniversitySpringboard, Your Virtual University is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast hosted by Rev. Albert Ocran. It airs every Sunday at 7PM on Springboardzone (YouTube) and Joy FM, and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. The ongoing AI for All series features thought leaders breaking down what AI means for Africa’s future and how individuals can position themselves to benefit. By Faustina Yeboah