The words “AI,” “job loss,” and “layoffs” can usher in uneasy feelings for people working in tech. Many of us have seen talented peers lose jobs in the shifting market. The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Future of Jobs Report 2025 predicts:
By 2030, AI and other information processing technologies will transform 86% of businesses, creating 170 million new roles worldwide while making 92 million existing jobs redundant.
While it’s a challenging time for the market, it’s encouraging to know the transformation will ultimately lead to a net gain in role creation. It’s also worth noting that there are thousands of small-to-medium sized businesses and startups hiring new talent right now. The news highlights large companies with disproportionate impact.
Technology will continue to reshape employment, fueling demand for skills in AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity, and technological literacy which are projected to be the top three fastest-growing skill areas.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts:
- Data Scientist roles will grow by 36% between 2023-33 as one of the fastest growing occupations.
- 303,700 new Software Developer roles will be created, listed 2nd in most new jobs.
- The job market will grow 17% for Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers.
While we’re waiting for the job market to find it’s feet again, the best thing we can do is move fear from our purview and focus instead on preparing for the changing market by upskilling.
Learning New Skills
The key to adaptability and resilience in the face of new inventions lies in continuous learning. In a lesson that received 600k Instagram Likes, Clinical Psychologist Dr. Becky Kennedy says:
People think resilience and success come from getting to “knowing” as soon as possible. They’re wrong. Resilience and success comes from the length of time you can just tolerate being [in the learning space].
We’re all in the learning space with AI right now. According to a Gallup study, “Frequent AI use (a few times a week or more) has nearly doubled, from 11% to 19% since Gallup’s first measure in 2023. Daily use has doubled in the past 12 months alone, from 4% to 8%.“
Industry Examples
Whether it’s automating routine tasks, analyzing complex data, or enhancing decision-making, AI tools are becoming integrated into everyday workflows across industries. Here are a few industry examples:
Healthcare
AI is transforming healthcare by assisting with diagnostics, treatment, and administrative tasks. As AI becomes integral to diagnostics and patient care, professionals must upskill in data analysis and AI-powered diagnostic tools to harness these technologies and enhance patient outcomes. According to Grand View Research, the global AI in healthcare market size is projected to reach USD 187.69 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38.62% from 2025 to 2030.
Financial services
AI in finance helps drive insights for risk assessment, performance measurement, predictions and forecasting, real-time calculations, and customer servicing. The SNS Insider report indicates that the AI in the Fintech market is projected to grow to USD 61.6 billion by 2032, expanding at a CAGR of 19.72% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2032.
Manufacturing
AI is transforming manufacturing through predictive maintenance, quality control, process optimization, and supply chain management. According to MarketsandMarkets Research, the AI in manufacturing market size is estimated to reach USD 20.8 billion by 2028 from USD 3.2 billion in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 45.6% between 2023 to 2028.
Retail
The retail industry is experiencing a major transformation driven by the integration of AI technologies. From personalized product recommendations to inventory management and predictive analytics, AI offers tangible benefits like increased conversions and reduced costs. According to Grand View Research, the global AI in retail market size is projected to reach USD 40.74 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 23.0% from 2025 to 2030.
How to Get Started
Now is the time to engage, learn, and enjoy the process. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few tools/areas to start with from IBM.
Critical AI Skills to Learn in 2025:
- Generative AI: Gen AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Co-Pilot, and others are becoming a major part of company workflows. Many companies are now developing or licensing these tools to train them on their own data. As a result, mastering generative AI may soon become an essential part of employees’ roles.
- Machine Learning: Machine Learning (ML) uses data and algorithms to enable AI to imitate the way humans learn. Employees can benefit from understanding machine learning concepts like supervised and unsupervised learning, decision trees, and neural networks, as these will play an increasingly important role in data and analytics practices.
- Natural Language Processing: Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a branch of artificial intelligence that helps computers understand, interpret and manipulate human language. Because NLP is fundamental to chatbots and virtual assistants, employees should understand how it works to use these tools more effectively.
Those who develop new skills will be better equipped to adapt to evolving job requirements, contribute to innovation, and lead in their fields. As AI continues to transform how work gets done, upskilling can open doors to exciting new career opportunities and ensure long-term career resilience.
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The Power of Combining AI and Human Skills
AI is changing the way we work by automating tasks like writing, editing, and data analysis. However, it cannot replace crucial human abilities: leadership, creativity, teamwork, negotiation, and emotional intelligence. Lead researcher at OpenAI, Karina Nguyen, predicts these soft skills will be critical to the future of work (see podcast episode).
As AI continues to advance, “people skills” will become increasingly valuable to teams. Students who cultivate both AI literacy and strong interpersonal abilities will be uniquely prepared to excel in any career.
>> Did you know SMU x Flatiron School bootcamp students benefit from 1:1 mentoring with a Career Coach? Improve your soft skills through mentoring, resume workshops, mock interviews, and more. Learn more about our Career Services.
Upskilling Today to Thrive Tomorrow
Learning AI isn’t just about getting a job; it’s about future-proofing your career. The 2024 Annual Work Trend Index from Microsoft and LinkedIn found that 71% of leaders prefer hiring candidates with AI skills over those with relevant industry experience. Whether you’re a professional or a student, a healthcare worker or a manufacturer, a financial consultant or a retailer, upskilling in AI is for you.
Now Is the Time to Learn AI
To wrap things up, if you’re worried about AI taking your job, the best investment you can make is in your own learning. Success in the AI workplace is not about resisting change. It’s about adapting to it and building resilience by embracing “the learning space.”
The future job market will look different, but those who commit to continuous learning will always have a place in it.
Like every technological revolution before this one, we cannot predict every new career that AI will create. But one thing is predictable: you won’t be ready unless you keep learning.
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