Key Insights from the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Report: AI and the future of work.

Having read the World Economic Forum 's latest Future of Jobs Report, and I'll be honest – it kept me up at night. Not out of fear, but excitement. As someone deeply embedded in the world of design, technology and business transformation, I see this report as a wake-up call for all of us. The future of work isn't some distant reality; it's unfolding right before our eyes.

What is the Future of Jobs Report?

The Future of Jobs Report 2025, published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), provides a comprehensive look into the evolving landscape of the global job market. It highlights key trends that will reshape industries, job roles, and workforce dynamics in the coming years. With a focus on technological advances, demographic shifts, and the ongoing impact of global crises, the report provides valuable insight into how businesses, governments, and individuals can prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.

Why is This Report Crucial?

In an era of rapid technological change and shifting economic forces, understanding the future of work is no longer optional—it’s essential. The report offers businesses and policymakers a roadmap to make strategic decisions, and helps individuals shape their career trajectories in a way that aligns with the future demands of the labour market. With AI, automation, and digital transformation at the forefront of this change, it’s clear that the way we work, and the types of jobs that will exist, is going through a major transformation.

How Will AI Impact Jobs and the Global Economy?

Here's what really caught my attention: AI isn't just another buzzword or a passing trend. It's fundamentally reshaping how we work, and the pace is staggering. While some headlines might focus on job displacement – and yes, that's a real concern – I'm more intrigued by the opportunities emerging from this transformation.

Think about this: 12 million new AI-related jobs are expected to emerge globally. That's not just a number; it's 12 million new chances for innovation, creativity, and growth. But here's the catch – these aren't just traditional roles with an AI label slapped on them. We're talking about entirely new positions that blend technical expertise with creative thinking in ways we've never seen before.

What keeps me optimistic? The fact that AI isn't just replacing jobs; it's elevating them. In healthcare, AI is helping doctors make better diagnoses. In finance, it's revolutionising how we analyse markets. In education, it's creating personalised learning experiences that were impossible just a few years ago. These aren't just improvements; they're transformations that make our work more meaningful and impactful.

But let's be real for a moment. This transformation comes with significant challenges. Not everyone will naturally fall into these new roles. The gap between highly skilled tech workers and those in more traditional roles is widening, and we can't ignore that. This is where I believe we need to focus our attention.

With the expected new jobs globally by 2030, it will also displace 85 million jobs. This means a net gain of 78 million jobs, highlighting the need for workers to adapt to new roles and industries. Moreover, 50% of all employees will need reskilling by 2025 as the adoption of technology increases. Workers will need to develop skills in areas such as AI, big data, and cybersecurity to remain competitive. The demand for skills in data analysis, AI, and machine learning is expected to grow by 71%.

However, AI could exacerbate income inequality. Workers who can leverage AI to enhance their productivity may see wage increases, while those unable to adapt may face job displacement and lower wages. 40% of jobs globally are at risk of being affected by AI, with advanced economies facing greater risks but also more opportunities. Industries such as healthcare, finance, and education are likely to see significant changes due to AI. For example, AI can improve diagnostic accuracy in healthcare, optimise financial trading, and enhance educational experiences. The green transition is expected to create 34 million additional jobs by 2030, particularly in renewable energy and environmental engineering.

The rise of remote work and the gig economy, accelerated by digital platforms and AI tools, means talent can contribute from anywhere. This shift is expected to continue, creating more flexible, freelance, and remote job opportunities.

The solution? It's not just about learning to code or understanding machine learning algorithms (though those skills certainly help). It's about fostering adaptability and embracing continuous learning as a way of life. The most valuable skill in this new landscape isn't any specific technical capability – it's the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn as the situation demands.

What excites me most is how this shift is democratising work opportunities. The rise of remote work and the gig economy, accelerated by digital platforms and AI tools, means talent can contribute from anywhere. This isn't just changing where we work; it's changing how we think about work itself.

But here's my challenge to business leaders: we need to ensure this transformation is inclusive. The WEF report makes it clear that the benefits of AI need to be distributed equitably. This isn't just about social responsibility (though that's important); it's about building a sustainable future of work that benefits everyone.

Companies have a crucial role to play in supporting their employees through this transition. Investing in continuous learning and development is essential. Companies should provide ongoing training and development programmes to help employees acquire new skills, particularly in AI, data analysis, and digital literacy. This includes offering access to online courses, workshops, and certifications.

Fostering a culture of adaptability is equally important. Encouraging a mindset of continuous learning and adaptability can be achieved by promoting a culture where employees are encouraged to take on new challenges, experiment with new technologies, and learn from failures. Additionally, developing clear career pathways that show employees how they can progress within the company, including opportunities to move into new roles created by AI and technological advancements, is vital. Offering mentorship and coaching to support career development can make a significant difference.

Ensuring inclusive and equitable practices is another key aspect. Implementing policies that ensure all employees have equal access to training and development opportunities is crucial. This includes addressing potential biases in AI systems and ensuring that AI benefits are distributed equitably across the workforce. Promoting work-life balance is also important. Using AI to enhance work-life balance by automating routine tasks and allowing employees to focus on more meaningful work can be beneficial. Considering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work and flexible hours, can support employee well-being.

Transparent communication is essential. Keeping employees informed about how AI and other technologies will impact their roles helps build trust and reduces anxiety about job security.

Looking ahead, I see three priorities for organisations:

1. Invest in Our People: Not just in technical training, but in developing the critical thinking and creative skills that will become even more valuable as AI handles routine tasks.
2. Reimagine Work Structures: The traditional 9-to-5 office model is evolving, and organisations need to adapt to more flexible, outcome-focused approaches.
3. Adopt AI Thoughtfully and Ethically: This means considering not just what AI can do, but what it should do, and how we can use it to enhance rather than replace human capabilities.

The future of work isn't something that's happening to us – it's something we're actively creating. The WEF report isn't just a prediction; it's a call to action. The question isn't whether AI will transform work (it already is), but how we'll shape that transformation to create opportunities for everyone. Download the full report from WEF.

Are you ready to be part of this transformation? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Let's continue this conversation and work together to build a future where technology empowers rather than replaces human potential.

James Noble is a multi-award winning, Chief Design Officer and a business transformation specialist at WONGDOODY, with a passion for leveraging technology to drive meaningful change. Connect with him at james.noble@wongdoody.com.