AI To Displace Millions Of Jobs: World Economic Forum Report

Forty-one percent of global companies are planning cuts, the WEF said.

A looming shadow of job displacement hangs over the global workforce as AI rapidly advances.

The Future of Jobs Report 2025 from the World Economic Forum reveals that 41 percent of companies worldwide plan to reduce their workforce by 2030, primarily due to AI automation.

The findings, based on data from more than 1,000 global companies representing 14 million workers across 22 industries and 55 economies, shed light on the profound transformation expected in the global labor market.

"Advances in AI and renewable energy are reshaping the (labor) market — driving an increase in demand for many technology or specialist roles while driving a decline for others, such as graphic designers," the WEF said in a press release.

The FOJ report specifically highlights the transformative impact of gen AI.

According to the report, jobs like postal service clerks, executive secretaries and payroll clerks are projected to face the most significant decline in numbers.

The emergence of graphic designers and legal secretaries in the top 10 fastest-declining job roles, a first for the WEF's report, further highlights the increasing capacity of GenAI to perform knowledge work.

However, the rise of AI also offers unprecedented opportunities, with growing demand for AI-related skills.

Close to 70 percent of companies plan to hire new workers with expertise in AI tool design and enhancements, while 62 percent intend to recruit individuals with skills to effectively collaborate with AI systems.

As per the report, the top 10 fastest-growing jobs by 2030 include:

Big data specialists

FinTech engineers

AI and machine learning specialists

Software and application developers

Security management specialists

Data warehousing specialists

Autonomous and electric vehicle specialists

UI/UX designers

Light truck or delivery services drivers

Internet of Things specialists

78 million net new jobs are projected to emerge by 2030, the report says.

The strongest job growth is anticipated in sectors such as health care, education, technology and renewable energy.

Frontline positions such as farm workers, delivery drivers, construction workers and care economy jobs (e.g., nursing professionals and social workers) are expected to grow the most in absolute numbers.

Analytical thinking and resilience are also among the most sought-after skills.

"Analytical thinking remains the most sought-after core skill among employers, with seven out of 10 companies considering it as essential in 2025. This is followed by resilience, flexibility and agility, along with leadership and social influence," the report states.

"Conversely, manual dexterity, endurance and precision stand out with notable net declines in skills demand, with 24% of respondents foreseeing a decrease in their importance."

Reflecting on these findings, the WEF urged collective action to address the skill gap.

Businesses, governments, and educational institutions must work together to implement reskilling programs and foster an adaptable workforce, it says.

"The time is now for businesses and governments to work together, invest in skills and build an equitable and resilient global workforce," said Till Leopold, head of work, wages and job creation at WEF.

This article originally appeared on our sister site Computing.