If we don’t act now, will we even have careers in 5 years?

The Alarming Reality of AI's Impact on Jobs

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the global workforce at an unprecedented pace. The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 projects that while 170 million new jobs will be created this decade, 92 million roles will be displaced by technological advancement, automation, and other macro trends. This means a net increase of 78 million jobs, but the transition will be anything but smooth for the workforce.

The report identifies several technologies driving these changes, with AI and information processing technologies expected to transform business operations for 86% of surveyed companies by 2030. While big data specialists, fintech engineers, and AI/ML specialists are among the fastest-growing roles, clerical positions, administrative assistants, and other routine-based jobs are declining rapidly.

Remote Work: The Vanishing Opportunity

The post-pandemic surge in remote work opportunities has begun to recede. According to recent labor market analyses, remote job postings have decreased significantly across many sectors. In India, where millions embraced remote work during the post-pandemic era, this trend is particularly concerning.

Several factors contribute to this decline:

• Companies are adopting a hybrid model rather than fully remote
• Rising costs associated with remote infrastructure
• Management preferences for in-office collaboration
• AI tools are making some remote roles obsolete

For Indian professionals who gained international remote work opportunities during the post-pandemic era, this represents a narrowing of prospects.

Local Compensation: Are Indian Companies Paying Peanuts?

The perception that local Indian companies offer inadequate compensation persists, particularly when compared to international standards. While India has seen significant salary growth in tech sectors, several challenges remain:

• Skill gaps: Many professionals lack specialized skills required for higher-paying roles
• Market saturation: High numbers of graduates compete for limited high-paying positions
• Economic factors: India's cost of living and wage structures differ from Western markets
• Global competition: Remote work enables companies to hire talent globally, increasing pressure on local wages

However, initiatives like AICTE's 2025 Year of AI aim to address these issues by revolutionizing engineering education and preparing students for future-ready roles.

The Five-Year Career Crisis: Is It Real?

The concern about whether some careers will exist in five years stems from several converging trends:

• AI displacement: PwC estimates up to 30% of jobs could be automatable by the mid-2030s.
• Remote work reduction: Fewer international remote opportunities available as we move forward in 2025 due to saturation.
• Compensation pressures: Local companies facing challenges in offering competitive salaries due to the skill gap and highly competitive environment.
• Skill mismatch: Educational systems struggling to keep pace with technological demands, begging for mass reforms.

The World Economic Forum reports that 39% of workers' key skills are expected to change by 2030, with technological skills growing in importance more rapidly than any other category.

Navigating the Future: Strategies for Survival

To avoid a career crisis, both individuals and institutions must take proactive steps:

For Individuals:

• Continuous learning: Develop skills in AI, data science, and other high-demand areas
• Specialization: Become an expert in a specific field to increase market value
• Soft skills development: Enhance communication, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence
• Global perspective: Stay aware of international market trends and opportunities

For Educational Institutions:

• Curriculum updates: Integrate emerging technologies like AI across disciplines
• Industry partnerships: Create pathways for students to gain practical experience
• Faculty development: Ensure educators stay current with technological advancements
• Student support: Provide career guidance focused on future job markets

For Companies:

• Reskilling programs: Invest in upskilling existing workforce
• Ethical AI implementation: Balance automation with human expertise
• Competitive compensation: Structure salaries to attract and retain talent
• Innovation focus: Create new roles that leverage human-AI collaboration

Concluding the so-called Crisis

The future of work is not predetermined—it will be shaped by how we respond to these challenges. While AI and technological advancement will undoubtedly transform the job market, the extent of disruption depends on our collective ability to adapt.

By embracing lifelong learning, developing specialized skills, and creating educational systems that prepare for future demands, we can turn these challenges into opportunities. The careers of tomorrow will exist, but they will look different from today—and those who prepare now will be best positioned to thrive.