Who Will Take Your Job in the Future?
More and more data indicate that the real winners in the future of work will be those who embrace continuous learning and develop the hybrid skillsets necessary to work alongside technology — creating opportunities rather than being displaced by them.
As we look toward the future of work, it’s easy to get caught up in the noise surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and its seemingly limitless potential to automate jobs, revolutionize industries, and transform how we live and work. But what if we told you it isn’t a what that will take your career, but rather a who? Historical records show that throughout every significant technological shift over the past 150 years, it wasn’t the features of new technology that replaced people — it was the humans who understood how to harness those features.
Consider the impact of the Industrial Revolution: while the global labor market underwent a transformation, job displacement was overshadowed by the creation of mechanics, factory managers, and engineers who adapted to new tools. Similarly, when computers became mainstream in the 1980s, the number of computer-related jobs increased by 25% within a decade, according to Pew Research. The World Economic Forum projects that by 2025, 85 million jobs could be displaced by automation, but 97 million new roles requiring collaboration with technology will emerge.
Moreover, a recent report by McKinsey highlights that by 2030, as many as 375 million workers (14% of the global workforce) will need to reskill due to automation. Still, those who invest in AI literacy, data analytics, and machine learning can secure new positions at the forefront of innovation. LinkedIn’s 2023 Global Skills Report reveals that roles requiring AI skills are growing at 74% annually, indicating that understanding how to integrate AI will be critical for future job security.
Below, we’ll explore how each significant era of technological innovation didn’t lead to job displacement by machines alone but by the people who mastered those machines and adapted their skills to stay ahead. From the Industrial Revolution to the AI-powered world of today, we’ll draw a line through history to reveal the traits and abilities the 21st-century global citizen needs to thrive.
We’ll also identify the education and skills necessary for those poised to lead future industries like hospitality, manufacturing, real estate, commerce, finance, and medicine. Ultimately, we’ll paint a profile of the person who will take your job — not the machines that enable them, but the humans who learn how to work with them.
The Industrial Revolution
Machines Aren’t the Enemy, Skillsets Are
The Industrial Revolution in the late 18th and early 19th centuries marked the first major technological shift that fundamentally transformed how humans work. Factories, steam engines, and mechanization upended the traditional agricultural economies of Europe and America, pushing workers from the countryside into cities to operate new machinery.
While some jobs were lost to automation, the most successful individuals during this era weren’t those who lamented the introduction of machines but those who adapted their skills to work alongside them. They learned how to operate complex machinery, manage production lines, and oversee the growing infrastructure of industrialized cities. The winners of the Industrial Revolution were the mechanics, engineers, and factory managers who understood how these machines worked and how to use them to increase production and efficiency. A study by the McKinsey Global Institute on the impact of automation found that, historically, technological advancements have led to more jobs overall, not fewer. While 7.5 million jobs were lost between 1850 and 1900 due to technological changes, 20 million jobs were created due to rising productivity and the demand for new skills.
The Early 20th Century
Electrification, Automobiles, and the New Middle Class
At the turn of the 20th century, electrification and the automobile revolution changed the workforce landscape again — electricity-powered new industries, allowing companies to increase productivity. The Ford Motor Company, for example, revolutionized production with its assembly line, which didn’t eliminate jobs — it created new ones for people who could manage and operate the new system.
The jobs didn’t go to those who resisted change or the machines themselves. They went to the people who learned how to use those machines. Electricians, automotive engineers, and factory supervisors thrived because they invested time and energy into mastering the new technology. Schools and universities began offering specialized programs that catered to the growing industrial economy, leading to the rise of vocational training and technical education.
Skillsets Needed:
A U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report highlights that between 1900 and 1930, more than 10 million jobs were created in the United States alone as industries shifted toward more mechanized and electrified systems. The number of workers in sectors such as automotive manufacturing grew exponentially, and so did their wages.
Post-WWII
The Rise of Computers and Digitalization
Fast forward to the mid-20th century, and we see the next major revolution: computers and digitalization. The invention of the transistor and later the personal computer in the 1970s and 1980s led to a seismic shift in the global workforce. As companies embraced computing power to manage data and processes, industries like finance, medicine, and manufacturing saw increased efficiency and the creation of entirely new job categories.
Contrary to the fear that computers would replace human workers, they created new opportunities for those who could operate and understand them. This era saw the rise of the first computer programmers, data analysts, IT specialists, and network administrators. The people who were able to adapt to the new computing technologies were the ones who thrived. Educational institutions responded by offering degrees in computer science, coding, and information systems, ensuring that the workforce was prepared for this digital transformation.
In the 1980s, the U.S. economy added more than 3 million computer-related jobs, while the financial sector boomed due to innovations in computing. By 1990, the total number of computer-related occupations had risen by more than 25%, according to a report by Pew Research.
The Internet Age
Connectivity and Globalization
The late 1990s brought the next wave of disruption: the internet. The internet didn’t just create new jobs; it made the world smaller and more connected. For the first time, companies could operate globally without setting up offices in every country. This shift didn’t eliminate jobs but transformed them, creating demand for a new type of worker who could understand and manage global connections, online commerce, and digital platforms.
This era saw the rise of e-commerce, digital marketing, and global supply chain management. Successful workers weren’t necessarily those who created the technology but those who understood how to use it to solve real-world problems. Social media managers, SEO specialists, digital marketers, and e-commerce strategists emerged as critical players in the modern economy.
The World Economic Forum reported that by 2020, nearly 90% of all jobs in the developed world required digital literacy. In the same period, the rise of e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Alibaba, and eBay created millions of jobs globally, from logistics management to digital marketing.
The AI Era
Not a Job Killer, But a Job Transformer
Now, we stand on the cusp of the AI revolution. Once again, fears abound that machines will take our jobs. But if history has taught us anything, the real winners will be those who learn how to work with AI, not those who fear it. AI isn’t going to eliminate jobs; it’s going to change them. The real challenge will be for workers to master the tools and use AI to augment their capabilities. The future belongs to those who understand how to integrate AI into their work, whether in data analysis, customer service, or creative industries.
The real winners in this new economy will be those who develop hybrid skill sets — combining soft skills like creativity and empathy with technical skills like programming, machine learning, and data analytics.
A study by PwC estimates that AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, creating millions of new jobs in industries such as healthcare, finance, and education. Additionally, research from LinkedIn’s 2023 Global Skills Report suggests that jobs requiring AI skills are growing at 74% annually, with industries like manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare leading the way in AI adoption.
The 21st Century Global Citizen
Skills for the Future
In the 21st century, the most critical skills blend technical proficiency with global understanding and adaptability. The future workforce will need to master various skills to stay competitive.
Here’s a comprehensive look at what these skills will entail:
Understanding how to navigate the digital world is now optional. Digital literacy includes basic computer skills to understand AI tools, blockchain, and cloud computing. As AI becomes more integrated into daily workflows, understanding how to interpret and work with AI-generated data will be vital. Workers must know how to make decisions based on data insights and use AI to augment their work. In a globalized economy, cross-cultural understanding and empathy are crucial. Workers who can collaborate across borders and navigate different cultural contexts will be in high demand. Creativity, emotional intelligence, and the ability to work with diverse teams will be increasingly crucial as technical tasks become more automated. These skills will differentiate humans from machines and drive innovation.
Adaptability and Lifelong Learning
The pace of technological change means that workers will need to adapt and learn new skills continuously. Lifelong learning and an open mindset will be crucial for staying ahead in the job market.
Who Will Take Your Job?
The Profile of a Future Leader
The person who will take your job in the future isn’t a faceless machine; someone who has invested in their skills, embraced new technologies, and developed the mindset necessary to navigate a rapidly changing world.
This person will likely have:
- A firm grasp of digital tools and AI: They’ll understand how to work with new technologies, not fear them.
- Cross-cultural awareness and empathy: They can work in global teams and understand different market needs.
- A mix of soft and technical skills: While they’ll be proficient in the latest tools, they’ll also bring creativity, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving abilities.
- A commitment to continuous learning: They’ll be curious, adaptable, and always learning new things, positioning themselves ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving job market.
The future of work is about more than what will take your job; who will take it? The natural disruptors will be those who understand how to work with new technologies like AI, not those who shy away from them.
The data of the past and present is clear: new technologies like AI, machine learning, and automation will create 97 million new roles globally by 2025, particularly in data analysis, AI ethics, and digital transformation (World Economic Forum). According to a McKinsey report, 87% of executives say they face skill gaps in their workforce or expect to within a few years, highlighting the need for reskilling. Many companies are increasing their training budgets to meet this demand, as reskilling workers can reduce turnover and improve job satisfaction. A study by Deloitte shows that 73% of companies prioritize tech-savvy employees who can integrate with digital systems, compared to just 50% a decade ago.
The demand for hybrid roles that combine traditional business skills with technical expertise is rapidly increasing. The World Bank predicts that while 20–30% of tasks in most jobs could be automated, this will also reallocate tasks to more human-centered activities such as innovation, problem-solving, and creative thinking. The rise in automation and AI has led to the polarization of the job market, with high-skill, high-pay jobs increasing by 25% and middle-skill jobs decreasing by 13% over the last decade (OECD). The e-learning market is critical for adapting to these shifts and is expected to reach $350 billion by 2025. Employees engaging in continuous learning have shown 21% higher productivity.
The person who will take your career in the future is the one who invests in mastering the tools of the future while developing the soft skills needed to navigate a global, interconnected world.
References
- McKinsey Global Institute, “The Future of Work after COVID-19”
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Historical Impact of Technology on Job Creation”
- World Economic Forum, “The Future of Jobs Report 2020”
- PwC, “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Jobs by 2030”
- LinkedIn, “Global Skills Report 2023”
- Pew Research Center, “Computer and Internet Jobs in the 20th Century”
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