Global labor markets are preparing for a new era of turbulence as technologies such as artificial intelligence accelerate the decline of clerical work while increasing demand for technology and cybersecurity professionals.
According to the report, over the next five years, nearly a quarter of all jobs will change as a result of artificial intelligence, digitalization and other economic changes, such as the transition to green energy and the repurposing of supply chains.
While the study expects AI to lead to “significant changes in the labor market,” the net impact of most technologies will be positive over the next five years, with big data analytics, management technology, and cybersecurity set to be the biggest drivers of employment growth.
“The emergence of artificial intelligence applications, such as ChatGPT, which use machines to simulate human reasoning and problem solving, will have a particularly noticeable impact, displacing and automating many roles related to reasoning, communication and coordination,” the report said.
About 75% of the companies surveyed said they plan to implement artificial intelligence technologies within the next five years, which they predict will lead to the reduction of up to 26 million jobs in clerical and administrative positions – cashiers, data entry and accounting workers. accounting
In the WEF study, more than 800 companies with a combined 11.3 million employees in 45 countries around the world were interviewed.
For now, AI remains less of a threat to job prospects than other macroeconomic factors such as slowing economic growth, supply shortages and inflation, the report said.
Job opportunities are likely to come from investments that will drive the green transition of business and a broad reorientation of global supply chains.