AI and the Future of Work: Job Displacement or New Opportunities?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming various industries by enhancing efficiency and driving innovation. However, it has raised concerns about the potential for significant job displacement. While some fear a rise in future unemployment rates, others believe such threats are overstated. Let us break down these complex issues by examining the jobs at risk, new opportunities stemming from the rise of AI, and the steps governments and companies can take to mitigate these risks.

Jobs at High Risk of AI Displacement

The rise of AI is reshaping the job market, automating roles that rely on manual labor and those that require decision-making. In this regard, its impact could surpass recent technological trends, as decision-making jobs were previously considered immune to automation risks. As a result, administrative and clerical jobs in offices worldwide would be overtaken by AI-powered chatbots and automation tools, which efficiently handle data entry, scheduling, and customer service with remarkable precision.

The retail and food industries are also at risk—self-checkout systems reduce human interaction in grocery stores, robotic kitchen assistants prepare meals with machine-like consistency, and AI-driven sales predictions transform how businesses anticipate consumer demand. Even consulting and financial advisory services, once thought to require human expertise, would be revolutionized by AI. As AI advances, these industries stand at the forefront of automation, facing an inevitable transformation.

According to a Goldman Sachs report, AI could impact as many as 300 million jobs globally, with up to 18% of work worldwide projected to be automated over the next decade. However, these figures do not account for the new jobs AI will simultaneously create, signaling a shift in the workforce rather than a complete displacement.

Jobs That Will Likely Survive and Thrive

While AI is set to replace some jobs, it also could create new opportunities that rely on uniquely human skills—qualities that AI cannot easily replicate. Jobs requiring emotional intelligence, creativity, and complex decision-making remain secure. For example, doctors, nurses, and healthcare and social services therapists provide compassion and care, attributes no machine can truly comprehend. Patients want a human touch, and AI cannot replace the depth of empathy essential in these fields.

Similarly, creative industries can embrace AI as an ally rather than a threat. Some writers, designers, and artists use AI as a powerful tool to enhance their work, sparking new ideas rather than stifling creativity. Instead of taking over, AI could become a collaborator in the creative process—more like a digital assistant than an artist in its own right.

Meanwhile, the rise of AI would fuel the demand for tech-related jobs. Software developers, AI trainers, and data scientists are crucial in shaping AI systems. New roles—such as AI ethicists and robotics specialists—are emerging to ensure AI is developed responsibly. Rather than eliminating work, AI would reshape job roles and open new doors for those willing to adapt and evolve in an increasingly AI-driven world. The World Economic Forum predicts that by 2025, AI will create 97 million new jobs, helping offset some of the losses from automation. 

What Governments and Organizations Can Do  

Developed nations with strong education systems and workforce reskilling initiatives are better equipped for this shift, as they can retrain workers to transition into emerging AI-related fields. In contrast, developing countries that rely on labor-intensive industries may face economic disruptions if AI adoption outpaces efforts to upskill workers. Rather than eliminating jobs entirely, AI is more likely to transform them, shifting the workforce toward roles emphasizing creativity, strategic decision-making, and human-centric skills.

Implementing economic safety nets is also essential. Policies such as Universal Basic Income (UBI) could provide financial stability for individuals facing temporary job displacement, while expanded unemployment benefits and job placement programs can help affected workers re-enter the workforce more efficiently.

AI’s impact on the job market is neither entirely bleak nor optimistic. While it will displace some roles, it will create new opportunities and fundamentally reshape our work. Society can harness AI’s potential while minimizing its risks by fostering collaboration among governments, businesses, and workers. In the end, the future of work will not belong to humans or AI alone—it will belong to those who can integrate the strengths of both.