The future of work - what’s coming by 2030
The World Economic Forum just dropped their Future of Jobs Report 2025, and it's packed with insights about where work is heading.
Let's break down what's coming our way by 2030 - only five years away - and spoiler alert, it's a mix of challenges and opportunities.
First up, the big drivers of change
Broadening digital access is the leading macro trend cited in the report, with 60% of employers saying it'll transform their business. Specifically, it likely encompasses things like:
Expanding internet infrastructure and broadband penetration, especially in developing regions
Improving access to digital devices across socioeconomic groups
Increasing digitalization of products, services, and business processes enabled by technologies like cloud computing, IoT, etc.
Wider implementation of digital public services by governments (e.g. e-governance, digital ID, etc.)
Growth of digital platforms, applications, and solutions that enable economic activities and transactions (in spite of our current retreat from globalism to nationalism around the world)
But it's not just tech - we're looking at a perfect storm of changes over the next five years. Half of employers are wrestling with rising living costs, while 47% are focusing on climate change mitigation. Then there's the aging workforce in many countries (40% of employers flag this), economic slowdown (42%), and growing global tensions (34%).
On the tech front, Advances in AI, automation, and energy technologies are also seen as pivotal disruptors., with 86% of employers betting on AI especially to shake things up. Since the release of Chat GPT in November 2022, investment flows into AI have increased nearly eightfold, and AI capabilities are being peanut-buttered through most software applications. Robots and automation (58%) and new energy technologies (41%) aren't far behind.
But here's where it gets interesting - the jobs growing fastest aren't all tech roles.
New jobs aren’t all about technology
AI specialists and data experts are hot properties, but the World Economic Forum is also seeing major growth in frontline workers like farmworkers and delivery drivers. The care economy is likely to boom too - nurses and personal care workers are in high demand. And teachers at all levels are seeing strong growth prospects.
JLJ’s note: Education will be transformed in the next five to 10 years as a result of knowledge becoming commodified through access to LLM’s. So if you’re going into education, be strong, resilient, and know you’re a change agent!
And there's a flip side. Traditional office roles are taking a hit. If you're in clerical or administrative work - think cashiers, bank tellers, data entry - you might want to start upskilling by starting to play with AI today. The report suggests about 39% of current job skills will need an upgrade by 2030.
Nearly 60% of the global workforce will need some form of retraining by 2030. Breaking that down, about 29% can upskill in their current roles, and 19% will need to retrain for new positions. Our worry? About 11% might fall through the cracks, not getting the training they need. Leaders will absolutely have to see not only who’s raising their hands first to retrain, they’ll want to monitor for those who might not be as vocal or confident of their needs… please. Be equitable in your considerations.
Retraining starts today
So what are employers doing about all this? They're saying they’re not sitting still. (But the proof is in action, not responses to surveys, so the jury is certainly still out.) Here’s what the reported responses are:
85% are planning to upskill their workforce
70% are hiring for new skills
50% are looking at moving people into growing roles within their organizations
Some (40%) are also planning workforce reductions where skills are becoming outdated
But it's not all smooth sailing. The biggest headache? Skills gaps, with 63% of employers saying this is their main barrier to transformation. They're also struggling to attract specialized talent - as everyone's fishing in the same talent pool.
What does this mean for you?
Well, whether you're starting your career or mid-way through, adaptability is your best friend. The skills that'll keep you competitive include critical and analytical thinking, agility, resilience, AI and data knowledge, cybersecurity, and creative thinking. And here's the drum I keep beating: The "human" skills like empathy, creativity and resilience are becoming more important, not less.
This isn't just about surviving the changes - it's about thriving in them. The future of work might look different, but it's full of opportunities if you're ready to grab them. Stay curious, keep learning, and don't be afraid to pivot when needed.
Now's the time to start thinking about where you fit in our rapidly changing future. Whether that means picking up new tech skills, developing new leadership capabilities, or exploring entirely new career paths, the future of work is being written right now. And you get to be part of that story.
If you need help writing that story, we are here to help. We train leaders and teams to handle AI on their terms, safely responsively and with an awareness of the risks and rewards of using AI to facilitate growth.
Resources from AIGG on your AI Journey
Is your organization ready to navigate the complexities of AI with confidence?
At AIGG, we understand that adopting AI isn’t just about the technology—it’s about doing so responsibly, ethically, and with a focus on protecting privacy. We’ve been through business transformations before, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Whether you’re a government agency, school district, or business, our team of experts—including attorneys, anthropologists, data scientists, and business leaders—can help you craft Strategic AI Use Statements that align with your goals and values. We’ll also equip you with the knowledge and tools to build your playbooks, guidelines, and guardrails as you embrace AI.
Don’t leave your AI journey to chance.
Connect with us today for your free AI Tools Adoption Checklist, Legal and Operational Issues List, and HR Handbook policy. Or, schedule a bespoke workshop to ensure your organization makes AI work safely and advantageously for you.
Your next step is simple—reach out and start your journey towards safe, strategic AI adoption with AIGG.
