Skills young people should learn now to avoid being replaced by AI

(Dan Tri) - As artificial intelligence (AI) develops more and more strongly, some professions are beginning to witness significant changes. What should young people do to adapt quickly and not fall behind?

A new report from auditing and consulting group PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) shows that people working in industries exposed to AI applications, such as information technology and finance, are earning significantly higher incomes than those in industries less affected by AI.

According to statistics from nearly one billion global recruitment ads posted this year, PwC found that the average salary for job positions requiring AI-related skills has increased by 56% over the past year.

Young people right now need to practice how to study and work more effectively with AI (Illustration: LeoAI).

“We have seen a steady increase in demand for AI-skilled workers across most job sectors, particularly IT, financial services and professional services,” said Barret Kupelian, an economist at PwC, who conducted the study.

Mr. Kupelian also emphasized that currently, having AI-related skills brings attractive compensation for workers.

When asked which jobs are less likely to be replaced by AI in the next 10 years, PwC experts said that traditional labor occupations such as plumbers, electricians, painters... still have a place.

“Technology is not yet sophisticated enough to completely replace high-skilled jobs that require workers to do,” Kupelian said. In addition, jobs that require high judgment and creativity are also difficult to replace with AI.

PwC’s report also found that the demand for college degrees in AI-related jobs is falling rapidly. The proportion of job postings requiring a college degree in AI-related positions will drop from 64% in 2019 to 56% in 2024.

Ms. Phillippa O'Connor - HR Director of PwC (UK) - commented: "University degrees are still necessary for many professions, but currently, employers evaluate capacity through more criteria, instead of focusing only on degrees. Continuous learning, expanding skills, especially technology and AI skills, will gradually become a vital factor for workers to stay in the labor market."

Mr. Shawn K - a veteran software engineer in the US - is unemployed because of AI (Photo: DM).

The case of Shawn K, a veteran software engineer in the US, can be seen as a clear demonstration of the harsh impacts of AI on the current labor market. Previously, Shawn earned about $150,000/year. However, he was fired because of the appearance of AI. Currently, Shawn works as a delivery man.

When he shared his story publicly, Mr. Shawn said that he had submitted more than 800 job applications within a year of being fired, but most of them received no response. Although he was once considered capable, in the current situation, Mr. Shawn still does not want to return to his old job, due to the fierce competition from the AI resume filtering systems.

“Things have changed so dramatically in the past few years. AI has cost me and many good programmers at my old company their jobs, even though the company was still profitable,” said Shawn.

The problem, Shawn says, is economic: “If a company can produce the same quality product while cutting labor costs dramatically, they won’t turn that opportunity down. We’re entering a period where labor is no longer a necessary ingredient for value creation in some areas of work.”

PwC’s report on global employment prospects emphasizes that instead of viewing AI as a competitor, workers, especially young people, need to learn how to master technology. Job positions are unlikely to be completely replaced by AI. Young people right now need to practice learning and working more effectively with AI, proactively upgrading their skills and adapting to the new context of the labor market.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/ky-nang-nguoi-tre-nen-hoc-ngay-tu-bay-gio-de-khong-bi-ai-thay-the-20250709194157121.htm