By the Numbers: AI's Impact on the Workforce
Dec 6, 2024
This talk was given at a Leidos and AcademyWomen AI and Future of Work event.
Transcript:
Good afternoon, everyone. Today, we’re diving into the heart of one of the most pressing questions of our time: Is AI reshaping our workforce for better or worse? By the Numbers Overview will explore whether AI’s impact is fact or hype, and together we’ll uncover what these changes mean for all of us."
Picture this: You walk into a job fair in 2030. The booths don’t just showcase jobs—they’re showing completely different industries.
Roles like 'AI-Augmented Healthcare Navigator' and 'Sustainability Data Strategist' dominate. These jobs didn’t exist a decade ago, or even 5 years ago. This is the pace of change we’re living through.
By 2030, 65% of job skills will have evolved. Another way to think about this is - imagine 65% of the skills you have today will no longer be relevant within the next 5 years.
With AI adoption accelerating, the question isn’t if AI is changing the workforce—it’s how fast and what that means for us.
In the next 15 minutes, we’ll cover three critical themes:
The current state of AI in the workplace.
How AI is reshaping skills and roles.
The broader socio-economic impact of this transformation.
AI adoption is everywhere. 88% of organizations already use generative AI. Tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot are transforming workplaces. But here’s the paradox: New adopters expect immediate results - the C-suite is focused on the productivity gains, immediately.
But seasoned organizations know the truth—AI transformation is a marathon, not a sprint. This isn’t just another digital transformation in the workplace like a cloud technology being integrated. This will fundamentally change how we work.
Consider these numbers:
By 2030, 30% of U.S. work hours could be automated. From a productivity standpoint, that is pretty phenomenal.
Yet, only 26% of organizations have policies to guide AI use. Without clear policies, companies risk unintended consequences, such as data breaches or ethical missteps.
If you’re a business leader, now is the time to act—setting guidelines can safeguard your organization and maximize AI’s potential responsibly.
60% of workers know they need new skills to adapt, but only 14% of frontline employees have received AI training.
This isn’t just an adoption gap—it’s a preparedness crisis. The opportunity is massive, but we need to bridge this gap with urgency.
Every technological revolution brings fear of job loss—but history shows us that it also creates opportunities. Think about the personal computer or the internet: tools that eliminated some jobs but gave rise to entire industries we couldn’t have imagined before.
Go even further back to the Industrial Revolution—it reshaped the workforce completely, introducing roles and fields we now take for granted.
AI is no different. It’s not about removing humans from the equation; it’s about evolving how we work and unlocking new possibilities.
Radiologists: AI analyzes scans faster and with higher accuracy. But instead of replacing them, it’s freeing up their time to focus on patient care.
Programmers: Tools like GitHub Copilot are reducing repetitive coding tasks, allowing developers to be more creative and innovative.
At the same time, the rise of AI agents introduces a new dynamic: we won’t just need engineers to design these systems, but also professionals who can bridge the gap by articulating their practical applications and translating complex requirements into actionable insights for development.
Yes, the stakes are high. Goldman Sachs estimates that 300 million jobs could be impacted globally. Administrative and legal roles are most vulnerable. But here’s the silver lining: The World Economic Forum predicts 97 million new roles by 2025.
The message is clear: AI isn’t replacing jobs—it’s transforming tasks and unlocking new possibilities for human ingenuity.
AI isn’t just about automation—it’s about empowerment.
Customer Service: Studies have shown that AI tools have boosted productivity by 34% for customer service reps, enabling faster and better responses.
And the latest research shows that it doesn’t just improve productivity for less experienced workers, but also experienced workers as well.
Managers: Their roles are shifting from task delegators to coaches and mentors, fostering stronger teams.
Despite this promise, significant challenges remain. How can organizations accurately assess their workforce’s current skill sets? How can they track the evolution of those skills and identify the future capabilities needed to align with business goals? These are not just questions of optimizing L&D budgets but also of building resilient teams prepared to navigate rapid changes.
Addressing these challenges is crucial to unlocking the full productivity potential that AI offers. To succeed, organizations must prioritize accessible, forward-thinking learning initiatives that empower workers at every level and ensure adaptability in an ever-changing world.
This isn’t just about surviving change—it’s about thriving by investing in learning and reskilling at every level.
AI’s economic potential is staggering. GenAI alone could add $1.3 trillion to U.S. household income. But really, who benefits?
Over 50% of gains may go to the top 20% of earners, while the bottom 20% receive less than 5%.
We can’t let AI widen gaps—it must bridge them. Addressing this requires deliberate actions:
Closing skill gaps through accessible training.
Ensuring policies promote equitable AI benefits.
Encouraging investments in areas like cybersecurity and customer experience, which drive shared growth.
AI is not just hype—it’s a transformative force reshaping our workforce and economy. But transformation alone isn’t enough.
Key Takeaways:
AI can amplify human potential when implemented thoughtfully.
To create a fair future, we must act deliberately to close gaps in skills, opportunity, and equity.
The good news is that the ones who are trying are already seeing gains:
companies leading in AI adoption are seeing 25% revenue growth, while others struggle to catch up.
For individuals, a 10% inc in AI exposure is correlated with a 25% higher salary.
And AI adopters earn 8% higher salaries than non-adopters within the same job roles.
The responsibility lies with us—leaders, policymakers, and individuals—to shape a future where AI drives progress for everyone, not just a select few.