41% of companies worldwide plan to cut their workforce by 2030 due to the impact of AI

A recent study by the World Economic Forum (WEF) reveals that 41% of employers worldwide plan to reduce their workforce by 2030 due to task automation driven by artificial intelligence (AI).

The survey, which included large companies from various parts of the world, also highlighted that 77% of organizations plan to invest in training their employees to work more efficiently alongside AI between 2025 and 2030.

The report, published in the WEF’s Future of Jobs report, marks a shift from the previous 2023 edition, which had predicted that most technologies, including AI, would have a net positive effect on employment. This year, the WEF emphasizes that the impact of AI and renewable energy is transforming the labor market, driving an increase in demand for certain specialized roles.

Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, highlighted the importance of generative AI in transforming industries and tasks across sectors. This technology, which can create text, images, and other content based on user prompts, is rapidly changing how different roles are performed.

Among the jobs expected to see the greatest decline in the coming years are postal workers, executive secretaries, and payroll clerks—roles affected by both the rise of AI and other labor market trends.

On the other hand, AI-related skills are increasingly in demand. Nearly 70% of companies plan to hire workers with expertise in designing AI tools and enhancements, and 62% plan to bring on staff with skills to work effectively alongside AI.

The report maintains an optimistic tone, noting that rather than replacing humans, AI has the potential to "augment" human skills through human-machine collaboration.

This is particularly important given that human-centered skills will remain essential. However, the report also points out that some tech companies, such as Dropbox and Duolingo, have already carried out layoffs due to the integration of AI into their operations.

This outlook suggests that while AI will bring significant changes to the employment structure, it will also offer new opportunities in technology-related sectors.