Artificial intelligence is changing the way companies organize work, creating new opportunities while also increasing the risk of job displacement in some occupations. Research from the International Labour Organization, International Monetary Fund and World Economic Forum shows that the impact is likely to differ by occupation, industry, country and worker skill level.
New roles are emerging
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 projected that major labor-market trends could create 170 million jobs globally by 2030 while displacing 92 million, resulting in a net increase of 78 million jobs. Technology, data and AI-related positions are among the fastest-growing roles in the report.
The projected growth is not limited to technology companies. The report also identifies rising demand for roles in education, care, agriculture and other sectors as demographic, economic and technological changes reshape employment.
Many jobs will change rather than disappear
The International Labour Organization’s 2025 assessment found that one in four workers worldwide are in occupations with some exposure to generative AI. However, only 3.3% of global employment falls into the highest exposure category.
The ILO said most occupations are likely to be transformed because they contain tasks that still require human involvement. Clerical work has the highest exposure to generative AI, while some professional and technical occupations are also becoming more exposed as AI systems improve.
Productivity is a major opportunity
AI can assist with individual tasks such as research, writing, coding, data analysis and customer support. This can allow workers to spend more time on responsibilities that require judgment, communication, creativity and specialized knowledge.
The IMF has found that AI can complement workers in some highly exposed occupations. Productivity gains could increase economic output and incomes, although the distribution of those gains will depend on how companies, workers and governments manage the transition.
Displacement remains a risk
AI can also reduce the need for human labor when software becomes capable of completing tasks previously handled by employees. The IMF has warned that some workers could experience lower wages or reduced hiring opportunities as businesses adopt AI.
The effects may also increase inequality if higher-skilled workers and companies that own or control AI technologies receive a disproportionate share of the economic gains.
India faces a mixed impact
India’s employment structure gives the country a different exposure profile from many advanced economies. An IMF assessment estimated that about 26% of Indian workers are in occupations with high AI exposure, with around 14% in roles where AI could complement workers and about 12% in roles facing a higher risk of displacement.
India’s large agricultural workforce means many workers have limited direct exposure to generative AI. At the same time, the country’s technology and business-services sectors are closely connected to digital work and are therefore experiencing significant changes as AI capabilities expand.
Skills will shape the transition
The World Economic Forum expects technological skills to become increasingly important while human capabilities such as analytical thinking, creativity, resilience and collaboration continue to be valued by employers.
For workers, this can mean learning how to use AI systems alongside existing professional skills. For employers, the transition involves deciding which tasks can be automated and where human expertise, supervision and accountability remain necessary.
The employment picture remains unsettled
The available research does not support a single outcome in which AI either destroys employment or creates jobs across the board. Instead, the evidence points to a combination of new roles, automated tasks, productivity improvements and changes in existing occupations.
As AI adoption continues through 2026, the key labor-market changes will depend on how quickly companies deploy the technology, which tasks they automate and whether workers have access to training that helps them adapt to changing job requirements.