The global labor market is at an inflection point. While automation and artificial intelligence are redrawing the contours of what’s possible, the urgency for environmental sustainability poses new challenges and opportunities. Jobs that seem secure today may not exist tomorrow, and those we have not yet imagined could become indispensable.
What skills and competencies will be needed in this uncertain future? And more importantly, which jobs will disappear and which will emerge?
The evolution of work in the digital age
By: Gabriel E. Levy B.
Every year in this space of the Andinalink Thought Tank, we analyze the changes that are taking place in the labor market and the role of the professional of the future. This year a recently published analysis by the World Economic Forum gave us many new elements for this exercise of reflection.
The labour market is at a crossroads, driven by two main forces: the technological revolution and the transition to a green economy.
Automation and artificial intelligence, ever-expanding fields, are reshaping the way we work.
According to Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, we are on the verge of a “Fourth Industrial Revolution”, a term he defines as a fundamental change in the way we live, work and relate to each other, driven by the convergence of digital, physical and biological technologies.
Digitalization, driven by Big Data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence, is not only transforming business processes, but also creating new fields of work. For example, prompt engineering is an emerging profession that focuses on optimizing the interaction between humans and artificial intelligence models.
This role underscores the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in a rapidly changing work environment.
The transition to a green economy
At the same time, the shift to a greener economy is opening up new job horizons. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2023 Future of Jobs Report, the green transition could generate 30 million jobs in sectors such as clean energy and low-emission technologies by 2030.
This growth is driven not only by the need to reduce carbon emissions, but also by a growing recognition of the need for sustainable practices across all economic sectors.
From environmental engineering to sustainability consulting, smart city design and renewable energy implementation, “green” jobs are booming. Leading countries in this transition, such as Japan and several European nations, are already experiencing an increase in demand for professionals trained in these areas. China, for its part, is also making rapid progress, showing that sustainability is a global concern that is reshaping the world economy.
New Skills for New Times
The accelerating pace of change in the labor market raises a crucial question: what skills will be essential to thrive in the future?
Analytical thinking and technical literacy are two of the most valued skills in this new landscape. The ability to understand and apply knowledge in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) will be fundamental, but not everyone needs to become a programmer.
According to Yuval Noah Harari, historian and author of “Sapiens,” “the most important skill in the 21st century will be the ability to constantly learn new things.”
In addition, skills such as effective communication and empathy will become increasingly important. In a world where artificial intelligence can replicate many human functions, social and emotional skills will be key differentiators.
As Dan Negroni, an expert in talent and engagement in the workplace, highlights, “in an era of digital connectivity and remote work, the ability to genuinely connect with others will be invaluable.”
Professions in transformation
The impact of these changes is not limited to the creation of new jobs, but also to the transformation of existing ones.
Medicine, for example, continues to be one of the most in-demand professions, but it is also undergoing significant evolution.
Healthcare professionals must not only stay on top of advances in treatments and diagnostics, but also integrate artificial intelligence into their practice.
Doctors who can combine traditional knowledge with new technologies will have a significant advantage.
On the other hand, more traditional professions such as manual work are still necessary. However, these roles also require a skill refresher to integrate smart tools and emerging technologies.
In agriculture, for example, the demand is not only for traditional farmers, but for engineers and technicians capable of applying innovations such as precision agriculture and smart water management.
The decline of certain jobs
Not all professions will have a place in the future. With increasing automation, repetitive jobs such as customer service, office management, and accounting are at risk of disappearing.
Advances in artificial intelligence and robotics have allowed machines to perform tasks with an efficiency that humans simply cannot match.
However, this disappearance of roles can be an opportunity for workers to acquire new skills and adapt to the changing demands of the labor market.
The value of human creativity
Despite automation and digitalization, there is one area where artificial intelligence has not yet been able to replace humans: creativity. As philosopher and sociologist Richard Sennett pointed out in his book “The Craftsman,” the desire to create something unique and meaningful is an essential part of the human condition.
From writing and art to design and storytelling, creative professions will remain relevant. In a world increasingly dominated by machines, creativity and the ability to tell stories that resonate with the human experience will become even more valuable.
In conclusion, the labor market is constantly evolving, driven by technological innovation and the need for sustainability. While some jobs will disappear, many others will emerge, requiring new skills and competencies. To thrive in this changing environment, adaptability, continuous learning, and the combination of technical and soft skills will be key. Ultimately, as we move into the future, humans’ ability to innovate, empathize, and create will remain irreplaceable.
References:
– World Economic Forum. (2023). Future of Employment Report 2023.
– Harari, Y. N. (2015). Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. Vintage.
– Schwab, K. (2016). The Fourth Industrial Revolution. World Economic Forum.
– Sennett, R. (2008). The Craftsman. Yale University Press.
– Negroni, D. (2020). Communication and empathy in the workplace. LinkedIn.
