Artificial intelligence is not just changing job structures, but also giving rise to entirely new roles that could define the workforce in the coming decade.
While recent headlines have highlighted job reductions driven by AI, such as the layoff of 9,000 employees at Microsoft, multiple industry observers suggest that the technology’s long-term impact is equally about job transformation and creation.
Debate on displacement
Concerns about job loss due to AI-driven automation have dominated public discourse. A 2023 report from McKinsey projected that as many as 800 million workers worldwide may see their roles replaced or altered by automation by 2030.
The same study noted, however, that artificial intelligence is also likely to generate more employment in areas where technology augments rather than replaces human effort, particularly in sectors involving complex problems, creativity, or decision-making.
OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman, discussing the shifting landscape, commented on the emergence of new types of work: a shift towards jobs requiring AI supervision, creativity, and advanced problem-solving skills.
In remarks on AI’s impact in office settings, Ford Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley predicted that artificial intelligence could result in the reduction of half of all white-collar positions. Farley added that such changes are likely to spur the creation of new forms of work centred on partnership between people and machines.
“We’re watching an evolution, not an extinction. AI is changing what humans do, not eliminating the need for them. The future workforce will be more hybrid, combining machine intelligence with human judgment,” says Gavin Yi, CEO of Yijin Hardware, a global leader in precision CNC manufacturing.
New roles on the horizon
Industry experts and employers have begun outlining specific roles that artificial intelligence is likely to spawn by the end of the decade, with some already being advertised and filled.
One such job is the prompt engineer. This position is focused on constructing detailed prompts that guide generative AI tools — such as ChatGPT — to produce desired outputs. Prompt engineers require a combination of logical reasoning, linguistic skill, and creative thinking. Organisations across technology, law, and education have started seeking out candidates for these roles.
“Prompt engineering is to AI what coding was to the early days of the internet,” says Yi.
Another role gaining traction is that of the AI ethics officer. With artificial intelligence now having far-reaching applications in areas like credit assessment and criminal justice, companies are expected to need specialists who develop and monitor guidelines for fairness, transparency, and compliance with evolving international regulations.
The interface between healthcare and technology is also expected to yield new jobs. The AI-assisted healthcare technician is envisioned as a professional able to operate and manage AI diagnostic tools, interpret data, and work directly alongside medical practitioners and patients.
Manufacturing and logistics sectors are investing in intelligent machinery, but those systems require oversight. The AI maintenance specialist is likely to merge traditional mechanical expertise with a strong understanding of AI system behaviours.
“The factory worker of tomorrow won’t just hold a wrench. They’ll monitor dashboards and algorithms too,” Yi explains.
There is also growing recognition of AI’s environmental impact. The sustainable AI analyst is projected to focus on ensuring that artificial intelligence systems are developed and operated using minimal energy, maximising efficiency and supporting broader corporate sustainability objectives.
Creative industries stand to be reshaped by artificial intelligence as well. The position of AI-enhanced creative director would blend human creative leadership with the use of machine-generated content, enabling experimentation at greater scale and efficiency.
Finally, with artificial intelligence being integrated into daily work tools and public sector processes, the need for AI literacy educators is expected to rise. These professionals would be dedicated to instructing colleagues, students, and government personnel in effective and ethical use of AI technologies.
Workforce adaptation
Yi cautions against planning for roles that may soon vanish, stating:
“In 2010, nobody trained to be a social media manager. By 2020, it was a core role in nearly every company,” he says. “In 2025, we’re already seeing new jobs emerge. The smartest thing anyone can do is pay attention to where AI is creating opportunity, not just where it’s causing fear.”
He recommends prioritising skills such as problem-solving, adaptability, communication, and at least a basic knowledge of how AI systems operate, as these are likely to remain relevant.
“AI won’t kill jobs,” Yi says. “But it will make some jobs feel obsolete. People who learn how to work with AI instead of against it will come out ahead.”
