$400,000 salary job proves the AI revolution is well and truly underway

News.com.au

2 days ago

A new artificial intelligence-focused job has caught the eye of one of Australia's most successful entrepreneurs, who believes it is the 'perfect example' of how AI is actually creating new opportunities for those willing to adapt.
Simon Beard, founder of streetwear juggernaut Culture Kings – a business he sold in 2021 for a staggering $600 million – has highlighted a new job being advertised by Meta.
The job is for a Content Engineer in California and comes with a salary range of $189,000 (A$293,000) to $258,000 (A$400,000).
According to the ad, the role has a focus on generative AI, with the team supporting 'products through quality control, prompt engineering, fine tuning and creative execution'.
According to Mr Beard, this is an example of an AI-related job that anyone can teach themselves how to do.
He said being able to come up with an idea and structure for an AI prompt that actually produces the content they want and one that services a purpose is an 'incredibly valuable' skill.
'You don't need a course. You don't need someone to hold your hand. All the tools are there. Just like you taught yourself how to use Instagram, you just have to play with it and figure it out,' he said in a recent TikTok video.
'AI is going to create so many jobs for people that are willing to go put in the work and learn and teach themselves.'
Mr Beard pointed out that jobs such as this one being offered by Meta 'didn't even exist three years ago'.
'Meta's new role of content engineer isn't about complicated coding or skill sets – it's about understanding how to prompt AI tools to generate content that connects, converts, and cuts through the noise,' he said.
Mr Beard isn't alone in his assessment that AI will ultimately introduce a slew of new jobs to the market.
However, this doesn't mean that fears around job losses as a result of the technology are unfounded.
In January, a World Economic Forum (WEF) survey found that 41 per cent of employers intend to reduce their workforce because of AI automation by 2030.
'Advances in AI and renewable energy are reshaping the (labour) market – driving an increase in demand for many technology or specialist roles while driving a decline for others, such as graphic designers,' the WEF said in a statement at the time.
'The presence of both graphic designers and legal secretaries just outside the top 10 fastest-declining job roles, a first-time prediction not seen in previous editions of the Future of Jobs Report, may illustrate GenAI's increasing capacity to perform knowledge work.'
At the same time, the report also found that close to 70 per cent of companies plan to hire new workers with skills to design AI tools and enhancements, and 62 per cent plan to hire more employees with skills to work alongside the technology.
Kylie Walker, chief executive of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, previously told news.com.au there are plenty of potential benefits of AI, but not without guardrails.
'Greater adoption of AI could see Australia's economy increase by $200 billion annually, but it is critical that robust measures are rapidly implemented to safeguard these areas and position Australia at the forefront of AI development,' Ms Walker said.
'Investing further in local AI innovations will simultaneously create new AI industries and jobs here in Australia and reduce our reliance on internationally developed and maintained systems.'