In an age where technology advances at an unprecedented pace, the proliferation of AI has raised concerns about its potential to disrupt various industries, and prompted individuals to reconsider the future of their careers.
The focus has shifted from whether AI will replace human jobs, to understanding how and when this transformation will occur.
This debate draws parallels with historical industrial revolutions, but while 18th-century automation transformed farming and textiles, the rise of AI has the potential to reshape multiple industries.
An 11-year research project undertaken by PwC found a significant portion of jobs would be affected by automation by 2030.
In its report, Workforce of the Future: Shaping 2030, PwC claims the overall percentage of affected jobs would be 38 percent for the US, 35 percent for Germany, 30 percent for the UK and 21 percent for Japan.
However, the report does not only foretell gloom. It outlines a roadmap that empowers individuals to reposition themselves in the 2030 employment landscape, and offers guidance to future-proof their careers.
Central to this roadmap are the “four worlds of work”.
The Red World: A realm characterised by rapid innovation and consumer-driven demand. Adaptability and updated skills are essential.
The Blue World: Corporations dominate, while social responsibility takes a back seat. Corporate careers thrive, and professional enhancements become common.
The Green World: Corporations uphold environmental and social accountability, with automation aligned to a greener agenda.
The Yellow World: Small, ethical businesses flourish, valuing artisanal products. Automation complements human efforts, and collective action protects jobs.
The likelihood of any one world emerging is uncertain, but in all four, adaptation and continuous learning emerge as strategies for employment.
Beyond embracing technology, cultivating new skills such as leadership, creativity, innovation, imagination and problem-solving becomes vital. These attributes are poised to be in high demand, transforming how we define ourselves by our skills rather than our job titles.
We can also recognise that AI’s impact on jobs is not purely destructive. It has the potential to refine, enhance and transform job roles, augmenting human capabilities and reshaping the very nature of work.
For those embarking on their career journeys, two potential avenues emerge: sticking to a discipline that’s highly specialised and therefore likely to be in high demand, or remaining in a current career while cultivating adaptability and creativity.
For both avenues, education and upskilling will be key to success, with institutions like Curtin University already preparing individuals for the shifting tides of change through their MBA programs.
Curtin’s MBA delves into executive financial decision-making, global business sustainability, and organisational strategy, equipping individuals with the skills and flexibility to pivot careers, transition from technical roles to leadership positions, or explore entirely new sectors.
Individuals on these courses are preparing to graduate in a new era, where the future of work embraces new technologies, and teaming up with AI will be just a regular part of the journey.
Anyone interested in upskilling for the future can visit curtin.edu.au/mba to find out more.
