EDITIORIAL | PPC112 September 2023

AI is taking the world by storm and it’s the topic of the moment; are our careers at risk of being lost to smart algorithms and tech like ChatGPT?

It’s a very real worry for many people, particularly when we’re in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis. And in the world of pest control, we’re seeing more and more digital options for pest management appear on the market.

In March, investment bank Goldman Sachs reported that AI could eventually replace around 300 million jobs globally.

But we’re going to remain optimistic and, to stay on theme, quote Terminator 2: “The future is not set. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves.”

Automation has always been a point of worry for the working class, from car production to self-service checkouts. But more often than not, people progress alongside technology and we develop new skills as a result.

Our advice? Lean into it. You’ve heard the phrase ‘work smarter, not harder’? We can choose to fear AI, or we can embrace it to help make us more efficient and better at our jobs. 

That’s why this issue’s big feature is all about how AI can be integrated with pest control to advance the industry. 

With product and label changes continuing to pile up, it might sometimes feel like the end of pest control as we know it. In reality, products and their conditions for use change all the time and have done for many decades now.

Successful pest management companies will always find the opportunity amidst the doom and gloom.

We’ve got articles on pricing structures and marketing, because as the landscape changes you’ll need to keep up with it and more importantly, make sure you’re still being paid what you’re worth.

And if you’re still concerned the apocalypse is nigh - get in touch. We might discuss your concern in future issues.

Take care.

Scott and Dee
PPC editors
hello@bpca.org.uk