‘WEF 2026 – AI and the labour market in 2030’ - three tips for your professional future

What does this mean for your career development, especially for highly qualified job seekers?

Scenario 1 – ‘Supercharged Progress’: AI breakthroughs revolutionise industries, many jobs disappear, but new ones are created rapidly. People become ‘agent orchestrators’ who control AI systems. Productivity is skyrocketing, but social security systems are lagging behind.

Scenario 2 – ‘Age of Displacement’: AI develops rapidly, and people cannot keep up. Mass automation displaces the workforce faster than retraining systems can respond. Unemployment rises, consumer confidence collapses, and social instability looms.

Scenario 3 – ‘Co-Pilot Economy’: Pragmatic AI integration focuses on collaboration rather than replacement. Human-AI teams redesign value chains. Early investments in training and digital infrastructure pay off – a balanced scenario.

Scenario 4 – ‘Stalled Progress’: AI develops steadily, but skills gaps slow progress. Productivity gains fail to materialise, automation focuses on routine tasks. Inequality is increasing between AI-enabled regions and the rest.

Already today, 54% of executives expect AI to displace jobs – only 24% see new job opportunities. Demand for AI skills will have risen by 70% in 2024-2025. According to the WEF, around 40% of all skills will be obsolete by 2030. Passive waiting is not an option. You can take measures today that will help in all four scenarios.

Three tips for job seekers

Tip 1: Become an AI orchestrator!

Don't just learn how to use AI tools, learn how to apply them in everyday life! Don't just use AI for research, build your own agent! Develop the ability to coordinate multiple AI systems and critically evaluate their output! Develop AI expertise in your field or in organising your job search – these hybrid roles are in high demand.

Tip 2: Invest in ‘human-exclusive’ skills!

Focus on complex problem solving, creativity, emotional intelligence and judgement. These skills will remain valuable even with rapid developments in AI. Social skills will become increasingly important. Don't just continue your professional education, but also in areas such as change management and intergenerational collaboration. Anyone who invests in lifelong learning now increases their job prospects.

Tip 3: Position yourself as flexible and willing to experiment!

Stay curious and develop a ‘test and learn’ mentality. On average, 40% of today's skills will no longer be required in 2030. Seize the opportunity for change today and start using AI for small projects now, learning from mistakes at low risk. Don't just think about where your skills might be needed across industries, but above all, what impact AI will have on your job and your industry.

The future is uncertain, but you can actively help shape it. Those who invest in AI skills AND key human skills today will be prepared for any of the four scenarios.

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