AI could create 78 million more jobs than it eliminates by 2030—report

On Wednesday, the World Economic Forum (WEF) published its report. Future of Jobs 2025 ReportWith CNN immediately highlights found that 40 percent of companies plan to reduce their workforce due to AI automation. But the report’s broader analysis paints a much more nuanced picture than the CNN headline suggests: It finds that AI could create 170 million new jobs globally while eliminating 92 million positions, resulting in a net gain of 78 million jobs by 2030 .

“Half of employers plan to reposition their businesses in response to AI,” says the WEF report. “Two thirds plan to hire people with specific AI skills, and 40% expect to reduce headcount where AI can automate tasks.”

The survey collected data from 1,000 companies employing 14 million people worldwide. The WEF conducts employment analyzes every two years to help policymakers, business leaders and workers make decisions about hiring trends.

A new report identifies the specific skills that will dominate hiring by 2030. Companies cited AI and big data expertise, networking and cybersecurity, and technology literacy as the three most in-demand skill sets.

The WEF has identified AI as the largest potential job creator among emerging technologies, with 86 percent of companies expecting AI to transform their operations by 2030.

Reduction of job categories

The WEF report also identifies specific categories of jobs that are at risk of loss. Postal service clerks, executive secretaries and payroll officers top the list of job cuts, with changes driven by factors such as (but not limited to) the adoption of AI. And for the first time, graphic designers and legal secretaries were among the fastest-growing positions, which the WEF tentatively attributes to the expanding capabilities of generative AI in creative and administrative work.