Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the global job market, with changes occurring faster than anticipated. The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights both the opportunities and challenges of this transformation.
According to the WEF, “half of all employers plan to reorient their businesses in response to AI, while two-thirds aim to hire talent with AI-specific skills. At the same time, 40% anticipate reducing their workforce in roles where automation can take over.”
The Future of Jobs Report 2025, based on insights from over 1,000 employers across 55 economies, predicts significant job creation alongside widespread displacement. Over the next five years, clerical and secretarial roles are expected to face the sharpest declines, with positions such as administrative assistants, ticket clerks, and cashiers increasingly replaced by AI-driven tools and automation.
On a positive note, industries requiring human oversight and specialized expertise are expected to grow. Roles in delivery, construction, food processing, and farming are projected to expand.
Additionally, the care economy—including nursing, social work, and personal care—will experience robust growth due to the indispensable human touch required in these professions.
Skill adaptation will be crucial for workers navigating this rapidly changing landscape. The report cautions that 39% of existing skill sets will become outdated by 2030. Although this figure is an improvement from the pandemic peak of 57%, it highlights the pressing need for upskilling in areas like AI, big data, and software development. IT specialists in robotics, autonomous systems, and renewable energy technologies are forecast to excel in this evolving job market.
The report also highlights broader trends influencing job markets. Rising living costs could result in the loss of 1.6 million jobs, although respondents believe many of these will be replaced.
Additional pressures, such as trade restrictions and economic challenges, will further reshape global employment dynamics.
Despite the disruptions, the WEF estimates a net growth of 78 million jobs by 2030, signalling that adaptability and skill development will define future workforce.