The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation is changing the global workforce at an unprecedented pace. As highlighted in the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, these technologies are revolutionising job roles, skills, and industries. While they promise efficiency, productivity, and innovation, they also present challenges such as job displacement for displaced workers, skills mismatches, and increased competition for high-tech roles.
The growing reliance on AI is altering traditional employment structures, forcing businesses and workers to rethink strategies for career growth and economic stability. This article explores how AI and automation will shape employment between 2025 and 2030, the industries most affected, and what businesses and workers can do to prepare for the transition.
The Importance of Strategic Workforce Planning
In the era of rapid technological advancement, strategic workforce planning has become a critical component for organizational success. This process involves a thorough analysis of a company’s current and future workforce needs, identifying potential skills gaps, and developing a comprehensive plan to address them. By ensuring that the right people with the right skills are in the right place at the right time, businesses can significantly enhance their agility, reduce operational costs, and boost overall productivity.
The fast-paced and ever-evolving labor market, driven by artificial intelligence and automation, demands that companies stay ahead of the curve. The skills required to thrive in today’s job market are constantly shifting, and businesses that fail to adapt risk falling behind. Strategic workforce planning enables organizations to anticipate these changes and prepare accordingly, giving them a competitive edge.
For instance, as AI continues to automate routine tasks, the demand for technical skills such as programming languages and data analysis is on the rise. Moreover, identifying these emerging needs early on allowed companies invest in training and development programs to equip their workforce with the necessary skills. This proactive approach bridges skills gaps and ensures that the organization remains resilient and adaptable in the face of technological disruptions.
AI and Automation: The Driving Forces of Job Transformation
The adoption of AI is expanding rapidly, with 86% of businesses expecting AI and information processing technologies to reshape their operations by 2030. AI-driven automation, combined with robotics, is revolutionising various sectors, including finance, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing.
One major trend is the shift in task distribution between humans and machines:
- In 2025, humans are expected to handle 47% of tasks.
- By 2030, this is predicted to drop to 33%, with automation taking over a larger share of work.
While AI will automate repetitive and mundane tasks, it will also create new job opportunities in high-tech fields such as machine learning, cybersecurity, AI ethics, and digital transformation consultancy. Additionally, AI-powered tools will enhance productivity, allowing employees to focus on creative and strategic roles that require human intuition and emotional intelligence. Knowledge of natural language processing (NLP) methods is also becoming a crucial skill for new job roles in AI.
Job Creation vs. Displaced Workers
The job market of 2030 will experience both job creation and job losses due to AI and automation. While AI will render some traditional jobs obsolete, it will also generate new career opportunities in emerging fields:
- 170 million new jobs will emerge, representing 14% of today’s global workforce.
- However, 92 million jobs (8%) will be displaced, resulting in a net job growth of 7% (78 million jobs).
Business leaders play a critical role in identifying and addressing skills gaps within their organizations. Their collaboration with HR is essential to map current and future skills requirements, guiding upskilling initiatives and aligning workforce development with strategic business goals.
Fastest-Growing Job Roles
The World Economic Forum identifies technology-related roles as the fastest-growing careers:
- AI and Machine Learning Specialists – Demand for AI engineers, data scientists, and automation specialists is skyrocketing. Proficiency in a programming language is crucial for these roles, as it enables the development and implementation of AI models and algorithms.
- Big Data Analysts – Organisations are leveraging data analytics for strategic decision-making, driving demand for professionals with expertise in data science.
- Cybersecurity Experts – As digital transformation accelerates, cybersecurity threats are increasing, creating a need for security professionals.
- Renewable Energy Engineers – The push for sustainability is driving investments in renewable energy sources, boosting demand for engineers.
- Autonomous and Electric Vehicle Specialists – The rise of electric and self-driving cars is leading to new engineering and software development jobs.
Additionally, care-based professions—such as nurses, social workers, and teachers—will continue to see strong demand due to ageing populations and rising healthcare needs.
Declining Job Roles
Routine-based jobs, particularly in administration and clerical work, will decline significantly:
- Bank Tellers and Data Entry Clerks – AI-driven financial technologies will automate most banking transactions.
- Cashiers and Ticket Clerks – The expansion of self-checkout and digital payment systems is reducing reliance on human cashiers.
- Executive Secretaries – AI-powered virtual assistants are handling scheduling, communication, and administrative tasks.
- Postal Service Workers – With digital communication and automated delivery services, traditional postal services are becoming obsolete.
Businesses that rely heavily on manual processing and repetitive tasks must rethink workforce strategies to remain competitive.
The Skills Gap: What Employers Need for Continuous Learning
As AI and automation transform industries, the skills required in the workforce will also evolve. Many traditional skills will become redundant, while new competencies will be in high demand. Soft skills, such as communication, empathy, and adaptability, are crucial components that complement technical expertise in the workplace and are increasingly valued by employers:
- 39% of today’s job skills will become obsolete or require transformation by 2030.
Top Technical Skills in Demand
Employers are looking for professionals with:
- AI and Big Data expertise – Skills in machine learning, data science, and AI development are crucial for future job roles.
- Cybersecurity and networking knowledge – As cyber threats increase, professionals with expertise in cybersecurity will be indispensable.
- Creative and analytical thinking – Problem-solving and innovation will be highly valued in AI-enhanced workplaces.
- Leadership and adaptability – Managers who can navigate AI-driven transitions and lead digital transformation initiatives will be in demand.
- Resilience and flexibility – The ability to adapt to rapidly changing work environments will be essential.
- Curiosity and lifelong learning – With technology evolving at a fast pace, continuous learning will be key to career longevity.
Re-evaluating the employee value proposition (EVP) is essential for attracting and retaining talent in today's transforming workforce.
On the other hand, manual dexterity, endurance, and routine task-based skills are expected to decline in importance.
Creating a Culture of Continuous Learning
In a world where technological advancements are reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, creating a culture of continuous learning is essential for organizations aiming to stay competitive. This involves providing employees with ample opportunities to develop new skills, learn emerging technologies, and stay abreast of the latest industry trends. By fostering an environment of continuous learning, companies can help their workforce remain relevant, boost productivity, and enhance job satisfaction.
Continuous learning is a powerful tool for addressing skills gaps and ensuring that employees possess the competencies required to excel in their roles. This can be achieved through various means, such as offering training programs, workshops, and other learning opportunities. Encouraging employees to take ownership of their own learning and development is equally important, as it promotes a proactive approach to skill acquisition.
Moreover, fostering a culture of innovation and experimentation is crucial for continuous learning. By encouraging employees to try new things, take calculated risks, and learn from their mistakes, companies can cultivate an agile workforce that is better equipped to navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing business environment. This approach not only enhances adaptability but also drives innovation and resilience.
The benefits of creating a culture of continuous learning are manifold:
- Improved Employee Engagement and Retention: Employees who feel valued and supported in their professional growth are more likely to stay with the company.
- Increased Productivity and Efficiency: A well-trained workforce can perform tasks more effectively, leading to higher productivity.
- Better Adaptability to Change and Innovation: Continuous learning equips employees with the skills needed to adapt to new technologies and processes.
- Enhanced Job Satisfaction and Reduced Turnover: Employees who have opportunities for growth and development are generally more satisfied with their jobs.
- Enhanced Competitiveness and Business Success: A culture of continuous learning drives innovation and keeps the company competitive in the market.
To cultivate this culture, companies can take several steps:
- Provide Training Programs and Learning Opportunities: Regularly offer courses, workshops, and seminars to help employees develop new skills.
- Encourage Ownership of Learning and Development: Motivate employees to take charge of their own professional growth.
- Foster Innovation and Experimentation: Create an environment where employees feel safe to experiment and learn from failures.
- Offer Feedback and Coaching: Provide constructive feedback and coaching to guide employees in their learning journey.
- Recognize and Reward Learning Achievements: Acknowledge and reward employees for their efforts in continuous learning.
Strategic Workforce Planning for AI-Driven Change
To navigate AI-driven transformation, businesses must invest in upskilling and reskilling initiatives. The report highlights that:
- 85% of employers plan to upskill their workforce to meet AI-driven demands.
- 70% will hire workers with new AI-related skills to stay competitive.
- 50% will transition employees from declining to growing roles, reducing job displacement risks.
Evaluating communication skills during the hiring process is crucial, and many companies implement skills assessments early on to identify strong communicators. This approach ensures that candidates' skills are validated as part of the hiring strategy.
Government Policies to Support Employment
Public policies will play a crucial role in workforce resilience. The most welcomed policies include:
- Funding for training and reskilling – Government support for education and professional development will help workers transition into new roles.
- Tax incentives for businesses investing in workforce transformation – Companies that prioritise AI training and digital adaptation may receive financial support.
- Stronger labour protections and AI regulation – Policymakers will need to ensure that AI adoption does not lead to exploitation or mass layoffs without worker protections.
Employers and governments must work together to ensure a smooth transition for workers into AI-powered industries.
Conclusion
AI and automation are reshaping the global job market, presenting both opportunities and challenges. While some roles will disappear, millions of new jobs will emerge in high-tech and human-centric industries. The future of work will be defined by adaptability, lifelong learning, and strategic workforce planning.
To thrive in the evolving job market:
- Businesses must invest in AI talent and workforce development.
- Workers must acquire in-demand skills to remain competitive.
- Policymakers must implement strategies to ensure workforce adaptability and job security.
The next five years will be critical in determining how businesses and workers prepare for the AI-driven workforce. Are you ready?
