Share of employers surveyed (%)0 40 60 80 100 20 Technology trends driving business transformation, 2025-2030 FIGURE 1.2 Source World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Survey 2024.AI and information processing technologies Robots and autonomous systems Energy generation, storage and distribution New materials and composites Semiconductors and computing technologies Sensing, laser and optical technologies Quantum and encryption Biotechnology and gene technologies Satellites and space technologies86% 58% 41% 30% 20% 18% 12% 11% 9%Share of employers surveyed that identify the stated technology trend as likely to drive business transformation Generative AI (GenAI), in particular, has witnessed a rapid surge in both investment and adoption across various sectors. Since the release of Chat GPT in November 2022, investment flows into AI have increased nearly eightfold.3 This influx of capital has been accompanied by investment in the physical infrastructure needed to support these emerging technologies, including servers and energy generation plants. By leveraging natural language processing technology, GenAI enables users to interact with it as though they were conversing with a human, considerably reducing barriers to usage and the need for specialized technical knowledge.4 Accordingly, the demand for GenAI skills by both businesses and individuals has also grown significantly (Box B1.1). Although more generalized adoption of AI applications remains comparatively low, with only a small fraction of firms using it in 2023, adoption is growing rapidly, albeit unevenly across sectors. The information technology sector is leading the way in AI adoption, while industries such as construction are lagging behind.5 This disparity mirrors broader trends, with advanced and middle- income economies experiencing unprecedented diffusion of generative AI technologies among individual users, while low-income economies remain largely on the margins, with currently minimal use of this technology.6 While the full extent of long-term productivity gains from the technology remains uncertain, workplace studies have identified various initial ways for generative AI to enhance human skills and performance. Some of these studies have highlighted ways for generative AI to enhance human core skills, or to substitute for tacit knowledge among newer or average performing workers.7,8 Other studies have shown generative AI can enhance knowledge work if applied appropriately within its capability, but risks producing adverse outcomes where users unknowingly stretch it beyond its capability.9 Looking further ahead, some observers argue generative AI could empower less specialized employees to perform a greater range of “expert” tasks – expanding the possible functions of roles such as Accounting Clerks, Nurses, and Teaching Assistants.10 Similarly, the technology could equip skilled professionals such as Electricians, Doctors or Engineers with the world’s forefront knowledge – enabling them to solve complex problems more efficiently.11 Outcomes such as these – which create genuine shifts in the quantity or quality of output – are more likely to come about if technology development is focused on enhancing rather than substituting for human capabilities.12 However, without appropriate decision-making frameworks, economic incentive structures and, possibly, government regulations, there remains a risk that technological development will be focused on replacing human work, which could increase inequality and unemployment.their business. Of the nine technologies, three stand out as being expected to have the greatest impact. Robots and autonomous systems are expected to transform 58% of employers’ businesses, while energy generation and storage technologies are expected to transform 41%. But it is artificial intelligence (AI) and information processing technologies that are expected to have the biggest impact – with 86% of respondents expecting these technologies to transform their business by 2030 (Figure 1.2). Future of Jobs Report 2023 11

Future of Jobs Report 2025