Navigating Jobs & Skills in the Era of AI & Automation

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in 2019 made a striking prediction. Within the next 15 to 20 years, automation could wipe out 14% of jobs worldwide and drastically reshape another 32%. That meant over a billion people would see their work lives disrupted. And that was before ChatGPT and the explosion of generative AI entered the picture.

Now, as AI advances faster than ever, the question is not just if jobs will change. But how fast and what skills will be needed to stay ahead? In this blog, we talk about the impact of AI on job roles and skills. More specifically, we talk about what kind of skills you can develop to stay lucrative and trainings that you can benefit from. 

Jobs That Will Be Replaced

Automation is already reshaping industries. It has started showing its magic in manufacturing, logistics, and retail. Self-checkout machines are replacing cashiers. Companies like Amazon are using AI-driven warehouses that reduce the need for human workers. Any job that involves repetitive, predictable tasks is at risk. Studies suggest that by the mid-2030s, up to 30% of jobs worldwide could be automated. Data entry clerks, assembly line workers, and telemarketers are among the most vulnerable. 

Jobs That Will Be Created

But let’s not always look into the dark side. AI is not just eliminating jobs. It is also creating entirely new ones. Just as the internet introduced careers in web development and digital marketing. AI is fueling demand for AI developers, robotics engineers, and data scientists. These roles focus on designing, managing, and improving AI systems. The World Economic Forum predicts that AI will create 97M new jobs globally by 2025. Companies will need skilled professionals to build AI models. Hence, if you are looking to switch or reskill, this is a good time.

Impact of AI on Different Industries

AI is not disrupting industries. It is simply transforming them in unexpected ways. While some jobs are disappearing, new opportunities are coming up too. However, these will require a mix of technical and strategic skills. Here are the impacts of AI on various industries:

  1. Retail: You must have already heard of or used either of these three AI chatbots, recommendation engines, and smart inventory management. These are making retail operations more efficient. Fewer workers are now needed for customer service and stock handling. 
  1. Manufacturing & Logistics: Automation is speeding up production lines. It is optimizing supply chains. Repetitive tasks are being phased out. But companies now need skilled workers to oversee AI-driven machinery and troubleshoot technical issues to ensure smooth operations.
  1. Healthcare: AI is revolutionizing diagnostics and treatment planning. It is already making realms of shift in the tedious process of drug discovery that takes decades. While AI tools assist doctors in making more accurate diagnoses, healthcare professionals must now learn to work alongside AI. They must know how to embrace technology to enhance patient care rather than replacing human expertise.
  1. Finance: AI applications in finance are enormous, too. Algorithms are being used for risk assessments and fraud detection. AI is aiding in high-frequency trading with incredible speed and accuracy. This shift is reducing the need for routine financial analysis. But it is also pushing finance professionals toward regulatory compliance and AI governance roles.

If you are in any of these industries and looking to upgrade your workforce, online/offline corporate training courses are the best way. EducationNest is one such top corporate training provider in Delhi, which has helped numerous companies in their training efforts in the past few years. 

Diagram illustrating the impact of AI on jobs across various industries.

Human Skills to Have to Thrive in the AI Age

Even with so much that AI can do better than us, it still cannot be us. A machine can never 100% replace humans. That is why it is important to understand the changes happening around us. If you can embrace the change without pushing AI back, you can hit a real gold mine in your career. What we are talking about is real human skills that you need to have to be irreplaceable, even in this AI era. Here are 4 such in-demand human skills in 2025:

1. Project Management

No matter how advanced AI gets, project management will always require human judgment. Estimating timelines, risks, and understanding how team dynamics affect progress are complex tasks that don’t always follow a clear pattern.

AI can analyze past projects and suggest timeframes. But real-world projects are full of uncertainties. Unexpected delays, shifting priorities, and team performance variations. Algorithms struggle when there is not enough data. Sometimes, even with data, the AI cannot tell the future. That is where human intuition and experience come in. Hence, mastering the top project management skills will give you the superpower to balance logic with adaptability. You will be irreplaceable when the company needs a quick decision and things don’t go as planned.

2. Critical thinking

AI can process vast amounts of data and generate insights. But it lacks human judgment. This is where critical thinking becomes essential. Professionals need to interpret AI-generated outputs in the right context. Humans will always be needed to question the accuracy, relevance, and ethical implications of AI outputs.

In industries like pharmaceuticals, AI might help draft regulatory submissions. But only an expert human can ensure the final document aligns with compliance requirements and industry standards. Blindly trusting AI without human oversight can lead to misinformation or even regulatory violations. The best employees will be those who can assess gaps in AI outputs and make better decisions.

3. Proficiency in Programming Languages

AI and automation are going to reshape industries. Hence, learning how to code will be a highlight of this era. Even if you are not a hardcore programmer, you should know at least some basics. Languages like Python, Java, and Julia are in high demand. If you are in fields like AI development, data science, and automation, you must have already seen the change happening. AI tools can assist in writing code. But professionals will still need to understand programming logic to debug errors, optimize performance, and ensure accuracy. They should know what the code does, why it matters, and how to apply it effectively in real-world situations.

4. Deep domain knowledge

AI is great at crunching numbers and summarizing reports. But it does not truly understand an industry the way an experienced professional does. People who deeply understand their field will always be needed to make sense of AI’s output and connect it to real-world business needs.

AI can generate a company’s financial summary. But a finance expert is the one who can decide what that means for future investments. In law, AI can draft contracts. But only a lawyer can make sure they actually protect a client’s interests. Beyond technical skills, develop soft skills in 2025 to not only survive but thrive in the AI era. This can be public speaking, negotiation, decision-making, or even communication. 

Conclusion

AI and automation are inevitable. But so is adaptation. The key to thriving in the future job market is continuous learning. Those who develop skills in AI management, digital literacy, and problem-solving will be best positioned for success. Whether it is working alongside AI or building the next wave of automation. The future belongs to those who evolve with technology.

Looking for data analytics employee training programs in Noida to boost your ROI? EducationNest offers expert-designed courses made for your team’s needs to help you stand out through innovation.

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