Is AI Really Stealing Jobs—Or Creating Them?
Have you ever scrolled past a headline about artificial intelligence and felt your stomach tighten? Maybe you've wondered whether your career will still exist in five years. Perhaps you've watched colleagues experiment with ChatGPT and thought, "Could that thing do my job?"
You're not alone. Millions of workers worldwide share these worries. And here's the thing—we get it.
Welcome to FreeAstroScience, where we break down complex scientific and technological ideas into language everyone can understand. Today, we're tackling one of the most pressing questions of our time: What does AI actually mean for your job?
We've dug through the latest global research. We've studied surveys from thousands of employers and workers. And we've found something surprising: the picture is far more nuanced—and more hopeful—than most headlines suggest.
Stay with us until the end. We promise you'll walk away with a clearer understanding of what's coming and, more importantly, how to prepare for it.
Why Are Workers So Worried About AI?
Let's be honest. The fear is real.
A Boston Consulting Group survey of over 10,000 professionals across 11 countries revealed something fascinating. Among managers who use AI daily, nearly one in two (46%) worries about losing their job . That's almost half of the people who know this technology best.
But here's the twist: workers who use AI less worry less. This echoes the Dunning-Kruger effect—the more you learn, the more you realize how much you don't know. Those closest to the technology see its potential most clearly.
Tech professionals feel this tension most acutely. A stunning 91% of IT workers express concern about AI's impact on their roles . When the people building these tools worry most, we should pay attention.
What About Different Countries?
Anxiety levels vary dramatically across borders:
| Region | Regular GenAI Usage | Fear Job Loss Within 10 Years |
|---|---|---|
| India | 92% | High |
| Middle East | 87% | High |
| Global Average | 72% | 41% |
| Italy | 68% | 36% |
*Source: BCG AI at Work Survey 2025 *
Interestingly, Italian workers appear less anxious than their counterparts elsewhere . About 36% fear replacement within a decade, compared to 41% globally. Still, that's more than one in three workers lying awake at night wondering about their future.
What's Actually Happening to Jobs Right Now?
Here's where things get interesting—and where many headlines miss the mark entirely.
Researchers at the Yale University Budget Lab and Brookings Institution analyzed labor market data from November 2022 (when ChatGPT launched) through mid-2024. Their conclusion? The broader labor market hasn't experienced a discernible disruption.
Wait, what?
Yes, the occupational mix is changing. Workers are shifting between different types of jobs. But the pace isn't dramatically faster than what we saw during previous technological shifts .
| Technology Era | Time Period | Rate of Change |
|---|---|---|
| PC Revolution | 1984–1989 | Baseline |
| Internet Adoption | 1996–2002 | ~7% |
| Generative AI Era | 2022–2025 | ~8% |
Source: Yale Budget Lab analysis
The current pace of change is only about one percentage point higher than during the early internet era. That's it. Not the revolution many expected.
The Unemployment Puzzle
If AI were displacing workers en masse, we'd expect unemployed people to come disproportionately from AI-exposed occupations. But the data shows no such pattern.
Regardless of how long someone has been unemployed, they typically came from jobs where about 25–35% of tasks could theoretically be done by AI. This percentage hasn't increased since ChatGPT launched.
The researchers make an important point: widespread technological disruption in workplaces tends to occur over decades, not months or years. Computers didn't transform most offices until nearly a decade after their public release. Even if AI will eventually reshape the labor market dramatically, we shouldn't expect the effects within just 33 months.
The Big Picture: More Jobs Created Than Lost
Now for the number that rarely makes headlines.
The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025—based on surveys of over 1,000 employers representing 14 million workers—projects significant job creation .
By 2030, we can expect:
- 170 million new jobs created (14% of current employment)
- 92 million jobs displaced (8% of current employment)
- Net gain: 78 million jobs (7% growth)
Read that again. The net effect is positive. Substantially positive.
But—and this matters—these won't be the same jobs. The labor market will churn through roughly 22% of today's positions . Some roles will vanish. Others will emerge. The transition won't be painless for everyone.
Which Jobs Are Growing? Which Are Shrinking?
The Fastest-Growing Roles (Percentage Terms)
Technology-driven positions dominate the top spots :
- Big Data Specialists
- FinTech Engineers
- AI and Machine Learning Specialists
- Software and Applications Developers
- Security Management Specialists
- Data Warehousing Specialists
- Autonomous and Electric Vehicle Specialists
- UI and UX Designers
- Light Truck/Delivery Drivers
- Internet of Things Specialists
Notice something? Delivery drivers sit alongside coding roles. Human hands still matter.
Green transition jobs also feature prominently: Environmental Engineers, Renewable Energy Engineers, and Sustainability Specialists are all among the top 15 fastest-growing positions .
The Largest-Growing Jobs (Absolute Numbers)
When we count actual positions rather than percentages, the picture shifts dramatically :
| Job Role | Projected New Jobs | Key Growth Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Farmworkers | +35 million | Climate adaptation, food security |
| Delivery Drivers | Significant growth | E-commerce expansion |
| Construction Workers | Major growth | Infrastructure, green building |
| Nursing Professionals | Strong growth | Aging populations |
| Teachers (Secondary & Higher Ed) | Strong growth | Growing working-age populations |
*Source: World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report 2025 *
The largest-growing jobs are often hands-on, human-centered roles that resist automation. Caring for people. Teaching people. Building things. Bringing food to tables—literally and figuratively.
Jobs in Decline
Clerical and administrative work faces the steepest losses :
- Cashiers and Ticket Clerks
- Administrative Assistants and Executive Secretaries
- Data Entry Clerks
- Bank Tellers
- Postal Service Clerks
- Accounting and Bookkeeping Clerks
- Graphic Designers (new to this list)
- Legal Secretaries (new to this list)
That last point stopped us cold. Graphic Designers and Legal Secretaries appearing on the decline list marks a shift from previous reports . Generative AI's ability to handle knowledge work is beginning to show in the data. This wasn't predicted even two years ago.
The Aha Moment: It's Not About Jobs—It's About Skills
Here's the insight that changed how we see this entire issue.
Jobs aren't disappearing. But the skills needed for those jobs? They're transforming at an accelerating pace.
According to PwC's 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer, skills sought for AI-exposed jobs are changing 66% faster than for other jobs—up from 25% the previous year . This acceleration demands continuous learning.
The World Economic Forum found that workers can expect 39% of their core skills to be transformed or become outdated by 2030 . That sounds alarming until you realize it's down from 44% in 2023 . Why the improvement? More workers are actually getting trained. Fifty percent of the global workforce has now completed upskilling programs, up from 41% two years ago .
The Skills Employers Want Most
| Rank | Skill | % of Employers Citing as Essential |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Analytical Thinking | 69% |
| 2 | Resilience, Flexibility, Agility | 67% |
| 3 | Leadership and Social Influence | 61% |
| 4 | Creative Thinking | 57% |
| 5 | Motivation and Self-Awareness | 52% |
*Source: World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Survey 2024 *
Look at that list. Four of the top five skills are deeply human. Analytical thinking. Resilience. Leadership. Creativity. Self-awareness.
Skills Growing Fastest
The fastest-rising skills combine technical proficiency with human judgment :
- AI and Big Data
- Networks and Cybersecurity
- Technological Literacy
- Creative Thinking
- Resilience, Flexibility, and Agility
- Curiosity and Lifelong Learning
- Leadership and Social Influence
- Talent Management
- Analytical Thinking
- Environmental Stewardship (new to top 10)
Environmental stewardship appearing here for the first time signals that green skills and tech skills are converging . The future belongs to people who can work with technology and think about broader consequences.
Italy: A Window into the Future
Let's zoom in on Italy as a case study. PwC's 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer provides detailed country data .
AI Job Growth in Italy
| Year | AI Job Postings | Share of All Postings |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 3,000 | 0.4% |
| 2021 | 14,000 | 0.6% |
| 2024 | 30,000 | 0.9% |
*Source: PwC Analysis, Lightcast Data *
A tenfold increase in AI-related jobs over six years .
But here's the real revelation: even jobs with high AI exposure grew in Italy. Between 2019 and 2024, highly AI-exposed occupations grew by 176%, while less-exposed jobs grew by 228% .
Both categories expanded. Every single occupation type showed positive job growth .
Read that again. Not a single job category in Italy shrank overall—even those most exposed to AI automation.
What Jobs Will Survive and Thrive?
Roles Likely to Remain "Human"
Certain jobs appear naturally resistant to AI replacement :
- Skilled trades: Electricians, plumbers, carpenters. Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang recently noted these roles will be essential for building and maintaining data centers .
- Care professions: Nursing, social work, counseling. Human connection can't be automated.
- Education: Teachers at all levels remain in demand.
- Food service and hospitality: Chefs, restaurant workers.
New Roles Emerging
The future will bring entirely new job categories :
- AI Trainers: People who teach language models to improve
- AI Ethics Specialists: Experts who evaluate moral and legal implications
- Digital Twin Engineers: Creating virtual copies of physical objects for testing
- Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs): Protecting organizations from cyber threats
- Reshoring and Nearshoring Specialists: Helping companies bring operations closer to home
How Can We Prepare?
Here's what the research suggests for workers navigating this transition:
1. Invest in Human Skills
The skills AI can't easily replicate: critical thinking, empathy, communication, negotiation, creativity . These transfer across industries and job changes.
2. Build Technical Literacy
You don't need to become a programmer. But understanding how AI tools work—and when to use them—will distinguish you from colleagues who don't .
3. Embrace Lifelong Learning
Curiosity and lifelong learning rank among the top 10 growing skills . The willingness to keep learning matters more than any specific credential.
4. Consider Hybrid Paths
The best investment may not be mastering a single subject. Instead, develop diversified, cross-cutting skills . A nurse who understands data analysis. A marketer who grasps AI capabilities. A construction manager who knows sustainable building practices.
5. Don't Panic About Your Current Path
Here's a comforting truth: workers currently in jobs "exposed" to AI aren't facing imminent displacement You likely have time to adapt, upskill, and position yourself for what comes next.
What About Companies Reshaping Work with AI?
Not all companies approach AI the same way.
BCG found that firms actively reshaping their workflows with AI—not just deploying tools but fundamentally rethinking how work gets done—see significant benefits:
- Employees save more time
- Decision-making sharpens
- Workers focus on more strategic tasks
But this transformation comes with challenges. Employees at organizations undergoing comprehensive AI-driven redesign are more worried about job security (46%) than those at less-advanced companies (34%) .
Leaders and managers (43%) are far more likely to worry about losing their jobs in the next ten years than frontline employees (36%) . The people closest to the decisions see the risks most clearly.
The Training Gap
Here's the uncomfortable truth: only about one-third of employees say they've been properly trained in AI .
This matters. When companies train their employees in AI:
- Workers use it more regularly
- They express greater confidence
- They feel more secure about their future
The research shows a clear pattern: provide at least five hours of training, include in-person coaching, and watch adoption and confidence rise your company hasn't invested in AI training, consider asking for it. Or seek it out yourself. Free and low-cost resources exist everywhere.
What Should Governments Do?
According to employers surveyed by the World Economic Forum, the most welcomed public policies include :
- Funding for reskilling and upskilling (55% of employers)
- Provision of reskilling and upskilling programs (52%)
- Improving public education systems (47%)
- Flexibility in hiring and firing practices (44%)
- Flexibility in wage setting (38%)
The message is clear: invest in people. Help them adapt. The technology is coming regardless—what matters is whether workers can ride the wave or get swept under.
The Formula for Understanding AI's Job Impact
For those who appreciate a more structured view, here's a simplified way to think about AI's effect on employment:
Net Employment Change = Jobs Created − Jobs Displaced
By 2030: 170M − 92M = +78M net jobs
Labor market churn rate: ~22% of current jobs will be affected
This isn't a formula for individual outcomes—your specific job may grow, shrink, or transform. But at the macro level, the math suggests more opportunity than destruction.
A Personal Reflection
Writing this article changed how we see the AI conversation.
Before digging into the data, we expected to find either doom or unrealistic optimism. Instead, we found something more honest: transformation. Change. Challenge—but also opportunity.
The workers who will thrive aren't necessarily the ones with the fanciest degrees or the most technical knowledge. They're the ones willing to adapt. To learn. To stay curious even when the ground shifts beneath their feet.
That's something every one of us can do.
Wrapping Up: What We've Learned
Let's recap the key takeaways:
Current disruption is modest. Despite fears, labor markets haven't experienced dramatic AI-driven disruption since ChatGPT launched Net job creation is positive. By 2030, employers project 78 million more jobs created than destroyed .
Growing jobs are often human-centered. Farmworkers, nurses, teachers, delivery drivers, construction workers—these roles resist automation .
Skills matter more than specific jobs. Analytical thinking, resilience, creativity, and technological literacy top employer wish lists .
Training makes a difference. Workers who receive AI training feel more confident and secure.
Italy shows what's possible. Even highly AI-exposed jobs grew there between 2019 and 2024 .
The future isn't written yet. It depends on choices—by employers, governments, educators, and individuals like you.
Keep Your Mind Active
This article was written specifically for you by FreeAstroScience.com, where we explain complex scientific principles in simple terms.
We believe in keeping minds active. We believe in asking questions. We believe in looking at data rather than accepting easy narratives.
As the old saying goes: the sleep of reason breeds monsters.
Don't let your curiosity sleep. Don't let fear paralyze you. The AI revolution is real—but so is human adaptability. We've survived technological transformations before. We'll navigate this one too.
Come back to FreeAstroScience.com whenever you need clarity on the forces shaping our world. We'll be here, breaking down the complex and making it accessible.
Because understanding is the first step toward thriving.
Sources
Boston Consulting Group (BCG). "AI at Work: Momentum Builds, But Gaps Remain." BCG Publications, 2025. Available at: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/ai-at-work-momentum-builds-but-gaps-remain
Gimbel, Martha; Kinder, Molly; Kendall, Joshua; Lee, Maddie. "Evaluating the Impact of AI on the Labor Market: Current State of Affairs." Yale University Budget Lab and Brookings Institution, 2024. Available at: https://budgetlab.yale.edu/research/evaluating-impact-ai-labor-market-current-state-affairs
World Economic Forum. "Future of Jobs Report 2025." Insight Report, January 2025. ISBN 978-2-940631-90-2. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/
PwC. "The Fearless Future: 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer – Italy Analysis." PwC UK Economics, 2025. Available at: https://pwc.com/aijobsbarometer
Lanza, Alessandra. "Le preoccupazioni per l'impatto dell'AI sul mondo del lavoro sono fondate? Ecco cosa dicono i dati." GeoPop, December 14, 2025. Available at: https://www.geopop.it/le-preoccupazioni-per-limpatto-dellai-sul-mondo-del-lavoro-cosa-dicono-i-dati/
Banca d'Italia (Bank of Italy). Research on AI exposure and labor market complementarity/substitution effects in Italy, 2024. Referenced in GeoPop analysis.
Randstad Research. "Trasformazioni dell'AI sul mercato del lavoro italiano." Study on AI impact affecting approximately 10.5 million Italian workers, 2024.
Censis-Confcooperative. "Rapporto 2025: Il futuro delle imprese in Europa." Report citing McKinsey estimates on automation of work hours by 2030.
McKinsey & Company. Estimates on generative AI automation impact on European labor markets through 2030. Referenced in Censis-Confcooperative Report 2025.
British Standards Institution (BSI). Research on student and early-career worker concerns regarding AI competition, as reported in The Guardian.
International Labour Organization (ILO). ILOSTAT employment by occupation data, accessed 2024. Available at: https://ilostat.ilo.org/
Financial Times. Coverage of Yale/Brookings research on ChatGPT's labor market impact since November 2022.
OpenAI. Occupational exposure data for ChatGPT technology assessment. Referenced in Yale Budget Lab methodology.
Anthropic. Claude AI usage data by occupation, August 2025 release. Referenced in Yale Budget Lab analysis.
Lightcast. Job posting data for Italy (2018–2024), used in PwC AI Jobs Barometer analysis.
O*NET (Occupational Information Network). U.S. Department of Labor occupational classification and skills database. Available at: https://www.onetonline.org/
Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia. Public statements on the importance of skilled trades (electricians, plumbers, technicians) for data center infrastructure, 2024.
Post a Comment