AI Is Reshaping, Not Replacing, Jobs, Says New PwC Report * SciTechTimes.com

Artificial intelligence is often branded as the great disruptor of our time — a technology poised to automate away millions of jobs and radically transform industries. But according to PwC’s freshly released 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer, the story is far more nuanced — and optimistic.

Based on the analysis of over one billion job ads and thousands of company financial records across six continents, the report paints a clear picture: AI isn’t eliminating work, it’s reshaping it. From increased productivity to better wages, AI is unlocking tangible benefits for both businesses and workers.

AI-Driven Job Growth, Not Decline

Contrary to the doomsday narratives of recent years, the number of roles most exposed to AI actually grew by 38% between 2019 and 2024. Even in occupations where AI has the potential to automate tasks, employment opportunities are expanding. Meanwhile, job categories with lower AI exposure saw an even sharper 65% increase.

PwC groups AI-affected roles into two categories:

Automatable tasks: where AI can take over specific, repetitive responsibilities.
AI-supported roles: where AI enhances human work rather than replacing it.

Interestingly, both segments have experienced job growth, with AI-supported positions seeing particularly rapid expansion. This trend suggests that AI is evolving into a collaborative tool rather than a job-stealing menace.

Productivity Surges in AI-Heavy Industries

Since the rise of generative AI tools in 2022, sectors embracing AI — such as financial services and software development — have seen a remarkable productivity surge:

+7% in 2022
+15% in 2023
+27% in 2024

In just two years, productivity growth in these industries has nearly quadrupled, while AI-light sectors like mining and hospitality have shown little change.

Revenue per employee in AI-sensitive industries has also outpaced others by a striking margin: 27% growth compared to 9% in less AI-exposed sectors. It’s clear that AI isn’t just boosting efficiency — it’s fundamentally reshaping how value is created.

AI Skills Command a Premium

Unsurprisingly, the financial rewards follow. In 2024, wages in AI-impacted industries increased twice as fast as in other sectors. Jobs requiring AI skills offered an average salary 56% higher than other roles, up from a 25% premium just a year earlier.

While overall job postings declined by 11.3% in 2024, demand for AI-related roles rose by 7.5% — further evidence that AI expertise is rapidly becoming one of the most valuable assets in today’s job market.

Skills Are Evolving Faster Than Ever

One of the report’s most striking findings: in AI-exposed occupations, the skill requirements are evolving at an unprecedented pace. In 2024, demanded skills changed 66% faster than in the previous year, up from 25% in 2023.

The importance of formal qualifications is diminishing as well. Between 2019 and 2024, the proportion of AI-supported jobs requiring a university degree fell from 66% to 59%. In automatable roles, this share dropped from 53% to 44%.

And there’s a notable gender dynamic too: in every country analyzed, more women are employed in AI-affected positions. While this offers new opportunities, it also increases the pressure on female workers to continuously reskill and adapt in an environment where job requirements are in constant flux.

Continuous Learning Is Non-Negotiable

“AI is already delivering real business value,” emphasized Antal Kerekes, Partner at PwC Hungary. He believes successful AI integration isn’t just about deploying the latest tech — it’s about shaping corporate culture and fostering new ways of working.

Gyöngyi Gönczi, PwC Hungary’s HR and organizational development leader, added: “Recruitment alone won’t be enough. Companies need to invest in ongoing learning and reskilling systems if they want to stay competitive.”

PwC’s Five-Point Playbook for AI-Ready Businesses

The report concludes with five concrete recommendations for companies aiming to thrive in the AI era:

Integrate AI as part of a holistic business transformation, not as an isolated tool.
Focus on long-term growth and value creation, not just efficiency gains.
Invest in agentic AI solutions that can act proactively and intelligently within workflows.
Build up AI competencies across the workforce through training and development.
Foster trust in AI technologies by ensuring transparency, fairness, and ethical implementation.

One More Thing: AI Jobs on the Rise Despite Global Tech Layoffs

Interestingly, PwC’s findings arrive against a backdrop of significant tech industry layoffs in 2024, with major companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta shedding thousands of positions. Yet, demand for AI-skilled professionals remains resilient — and in some areas, stronger than ever.

A recent LinkedIn Economic Graph report echoes PwC’s conclusions, noting that AI-related job postings grew by over 10% globally in the first quarter of 2024, despite broader hiring freezes.

The message is clear: while AI is undoubtedly transforming the job market, it’s also creating new opportunities for those who can keep pace with its rapid evolution. For companies and workers alike, the AI future isn’t something to fear — it’s a landscape to actively shape.