According to the World Economic Forum, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence could lead to the disappearance of several traditional jobs in the near future. The job market is on the verge of a major transformation, fueled by AI's rapid growth. This widespread adoption of AI technology brings up an important question: will it replace existing jobs, displace workers, or pave the way for entirely new roles? In its latest report on the future of employment, the World Economic Forum suggests that several well-established professions, including cashiers, bank clerks, and administrative assistants, may soon become obsolete.
Drawing insights from data collected from over 1,000 employers across 55 economies, encompassing more than 14 million workers, the Future of Jobs report highlights a significant shift in the professional landscape in the coming years. By 2030, an estimated 170 million new jobs are projected to emerge, representing 14% of the current global workforce. However, this growth will be counterbalanced by the loss of 92 million existing jobs, accounting for 8% of today's employment. As a result, the net job increase is expected to be around 78 million, or approximately 7% of total employment.
Administrative and secretarial roles, including cashiers, ticket agents, administrative assistants, and executive secretaries, are anticipated to decline significantly in the near future. Similarly, jobs such as postal service clerks, bank tellers, and data entry operators are among those most at risk of disappearing as organizations increasingly adopt technological solutions and automation to replace these traditional roles.
Emerging Job Opportunities
On the other hand, the report suggests that frontline jobs will experience significant growth. Occupations such as farmworkers, delivery drivers, construction workers, and agri-food industry employees are expected to be in high demand. Additionally, the healthcare sector will see a surge in demand for professionals, including nurses and doctors, as they become increasingly vital in addressing the needs of the world's aging population. The United Nations predicts that the number of individuals aged 65 and older will more than double in the coming decades, growing from 761 million in 2021 to 1.6 billion by 2050.
The rapid advancement of new technologies is giving rise to highly specialized professions. Roles such as AI specialists, fintech engineers, software developers, and renewable energy experts are becoming essential in shaping a rapidly evolving world, influenced by the green transition and shifting demographic trends. However, this transformation comes with its own set of challenges. The World Economic Forum estimates that nearly 39% of existing skills will need to adapt within the next five years, a slight decrease from 44% in 2023.
The demand for skills is primarily centered around technology, with fields such as AI, big data, and cybersecurity taking the lead. Nevertheless, human-centric skills continue to hold significant value, particularly in areas like critical and creative thinking, as well as resilience, adaptability, and agility. Notably, 70% of businesses believe that analytical thinking will be indispensable by 2025. While these rapid changes might raise concerns among the workforce, they also present an opportunity to reshape the future of work and enhance skill sets. To navigate this transition successfully, collaboration among businesses, governments, and employees will be crucial in transforming these challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation.
