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Is AI coming for our jobs?

By Simon Lee, September 21, 2025

Is AI coming for our jobs

We’re at a pivotal moment in the evolution of work.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries, accelerating productivity, and transforming the way businesses operate – often in ways that felt impossible just a few years ago. AI automation tools are enabling teams to move faster, reduce manual tasks, and make smarter decisions at scale. From customer service to marketing, recruitment to finance, the gains are undeniable.

But so are the consequences.

Behind every workflow that’s automated is a human – with responsibilities, ambitions, and a future that may suddenly feel less secure. The conversation around AI often focuses on efficiency, innovation, and cost savings. Less often do we hear about the people those changes affect.

Still, fears of mass job loss may be exaggerated. According to the International Labour Organisation, only 2.3% of jobs globally have the potential to be fully automated1. What often gets overlooked is the flipside: the rise of new roles and industries we couldn’t have imagined a decade ago. There were no social media managers 20 years ago. No app developers 15 years ago. As one industry shifts, another often springs up in its place.

So, what happens next? Will AI replace human jobs entirely, or simply reshape them? Which industries are most affected, and which roles will thrive in an AI-enabled world? Most importantly: how do we prepare the workforce not just for the future of work, but for the future of people at work?

In this blog, we explore:

  • How AI is transforming jobs (not taking them)
  • The skills that matter most in an AI–enabled world
  • How AI is creating new roles and industries
  • And why the smartest businesses are focusing on AI + people, not AI vs. people

How AI is transforming jobs – not taking them

AI isn’t coming for every job, but it is changing how work gets done. Roles that once involved repetitive work are evolving, with AI becoming a co-pilot rather than a replacement.

Here are examples of how AI is enabling or reshaping roles across different sectors:

  1. Data entry clerks
    AI-powered tools can extract and process structured and unstructured data with high accuracy. This automates manual entry and allows people to focus on quality assurance or data interpretation roles.
  2. Telemarketers
    With AI-driven voice tools and call scripting, many outbound calls can be automated. But strategic sales conversations and client relationship building still require human nuance.
  3. Retail cashiers
    Self-checkout systems and voice-assisted payment options are reducing the need for cashier roles. Human staff are shifting to customer support, product assistance, and in-store experience roles.
  4. Customer support agents
    AI chatbots now handle FAQs and simple queries around the clock. That frees human agents to step in where it really counts – solving complex problems, offering empathy, and building stronger customer relationships.
  5. Research analysts
    AI can summarise documents, analyse legal precedent, and handle basic research. But client relationships, legal judgement, and complex decision-making remain human-led.
  6. Factory and warehouse workers
    Robotics and automation are taking over repetitive physical tasks. The new opportunity lies in managing these systems, overseeing logistics, and maintaining operational flow.
  7. Computer programmers
    Code generation tools support developers by handling boilerplate code and suggesting fixes. Developers can now focus on architectural decisions, problem-solving, and innovation.
  8. Paralegals
    AI can summarise legal documents, conduct research, and generate simple contracts. Paralegals are increasingly shifting from routine document handling to quality control, legal analysis, and more client-facing advisory work.
  9. Content writers and marketers
    AI tools like ChatGPT and Jasper.ai can generate first drafts, brainstorm ideas, and suggest improvements. This helps writers and marketers spend more time on brand strategy, creative storytelling, and campaigns that truly connect. But when it comes to persuasive messaging, brand voice, and content that truly connects with an audience, human creativity still leads the way.
  10. Graphic designers
    AI design tools simplify repetitive work like resizing, formatting, or creating variations, giving designers more time to focus on originality, brand expression, and human-centric creativity.
  11. Car and truck drivers
    Autonomous driving technology is advancing quickly in logistics. But real-world conditions, safety judgement, and customer-facing interactions mean human drivers still play a critical role.

The skills AI can’t replace

As AI becomes embedded in day-to-day work, the skills businesses need, and the ones workers need to stay relevant, are shifting fast.

We’re moving away from roles that rely on manual labour or routine decision-making and towards jobs that demand higher-order thinking, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. In other words: what AI can’t do easily, people must do exceptionally well.

That includes:

  • Cognitive skills such as critical thinking, complex problem-solving, and sound decision-making under pressure.
  • Social–emotional skills like leadership, empathy, negotiation, and the ability to build trust, especially in team or client-facing roles.
  • Digital literacy and tech fluency – not necessarily coding, but the capability to understand, interpret, and collaborate with AI tools.

Upskilling and reskilling are quickly becoming non-negotiable. As AI takes on more of the repetitive and routine work, teams that don’t adapt will fall behind.

We’re already seeing this shift across roles in customer support, finance, marketing, and beyond. The people who thrive won’t be the ones who know it all from day one – they’ll be the ones who stay adaptable, embrace change, and continue building new skills as the landscape evolves.

Who’s most affected by AI?

AI may be reshaping work globally, but its effects aren’t evenly distributed. Some regions, industries, and demographics are more exposed than others, and without proactive planning, the gap could widen. Here’s where the impact hits hardest:

  1. Emerging markets with task-based offshore roles
    Countries like the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, and Brazil host many outsourced jobs that involve repetitive or process-driven work – areas where emerging AI technologies could assist human workers by enhancing efficiency and accuracy, rather than replacing them.
  2. Workers with limited access to education or training
    Those without digital skills or formal education may struggle to transition into AI-augmented roles. Without proactive upskilling, these groups risk being left behind in an increasingly tech-driven workforce.
  3. Older professionals nearing the end of their careers
    Experienced workers may find the learning curve for new tools steep, especially without accessible support.
  4. Small businesses in developing economies
    Companies without the resources to invest in training or AI adaption may fall behind – putting businesses at risk.
  5. Offshore teams treated as replaceable “resources”
    Some businesses see offshore workers as interchangeable, but they’re not. In reality, these professionals play a vital role in sustainable growth – and as AI tools evolve, their expertise will be even more critical in guiding, managing, and complementing these technologies.

What jobs will AI create?

Every major technological shift creates new roles, and AI is no different.

As AI automation scales, we’re already seeing demand for new human roles that support, manage, and maximise these systems – roles that ensure AI works responsibly, effectively, and in alignment with business goals. Here are just a few examples:

  1. AI trainers
    These professionals work behind the scenes to improve AI tools – correcting errors, refining responses, and teaching systems how to respond more like a human. Their feedback helps models become more accurate and context-aware.
  2. Prompt engineers
    Generative AI tools (like ChatGPT or image generators) rely on well-crafted instructions. Prompt engineers are experts at writing those inputs – knowing how to frame questions, structure prompts, and guide the AI to deliver useful outputs.
  3. AI compliance and ethics officers
    As regulation catches up with technology, companies need people to ensure their AI systems are fair, transparent, and compliant with evolving laws. This role bridges the gap between tech, policy, and public trust.
  4. Automation specialists
    These roles focus on how and where to embed AI into business workflows. They assess which processes should be automated, how AI integrates with existing tools, and where human oversight is still needed.

What connects these roles?

They exist because of AI, but they rely on human judgement, creativity, and oversight to function properly. These aren’t support roles for AI. They’re critical roles that keep AI aligned with real-world needs.

As AI becomes more embedded in business operations, the most forward-thinking companies won’t just adopt new tools – they’ll hire and train people who know how to make those tools work smarter, safer, and more effectively.

So, what should businesses do?

AI is already changing how we work – that’s a given. What matters now is how businesses respond. The goal isn’t to slow down progress, but to move forward with purpose.

AI has clear benefits: it boosts productivity, cuts costs, and improves speed. But if you focus only on automation, you risk losing the context, creativity, and human value that drive real business success.

The most forward-thinking companies are already adapting. They’re:

  • Hiring for adaptability and long-term potential – not just technical fit
  • Investing in upskilling and reskilling to help teams grow alongside AI
  • Keeping people involved in moments that matter like customer relationships, team leadership, and strategic decisions

Even companies that moved quickly towards AI are starting to reconsider. Even Klarna, a tech-driven company, recently stepped back from its AI-only agent model after realising customers still prefer human interaction for complex issues2.

The takeaway? AI can make things faster, but it doesn’t always make them better. Sustainable growth comes from knowing where automation adds value, and where people still matter most.

How AI and outsourcing work together

At Teamified , we see the future of work not as a battle between AI and people, but as a shift in how smart businesses build and scale. The real opportunity lies in combining AI-powered tools with high-performing offshore teams to drive both efficiency and human impact.

As businesses explore how to stay competitive in an AI-driven economy, one of the smartest moves is combining AI with global talent. With the right outsourcing strategy, you cut costs while gaining a team that enhances AI-driven efficiency, service quality, and scalability.

We break this down in more detail in our related article: AI and outsourcing: The smartest way to cut operational costs in a tough economy

It’s a practical look at how forward-thinking companies are blending technology and people to build more resilient, future-ready teams.

References:

[1] Artificial intelligence and the future of work: Will AI replace our jobs? (unric.org)
[2] Company Regrets Replacing All Those Pesky Human Workers With AI, Just Wants Its Humans Back (futurism.com)
[3] Jobs lost, jobs gained: What the future of work will mean for jobs, skills, and wages (mckinsey.com)
[4] AI Taking Over Jobs: What to Know About the Future of Jobs (builtin.com)
[5] AI is automating our jobs – but values need to change if we are to be liberated by it (theconversation.com)
[6] AI is coming for our jobs! Could universal basic income be the solution? (theguardian.com)

About The Author

Simon Lee
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Simon is the Co-Founder of Teamified, where he helps businesses scale by connecting them with high-performing global talent. His expertise lies in optimising remote team management, ensuring companies can hire, manage, and pay contractors seamlessly across 150+ countries.

With over two decades of experience in FinTech, SaaS, and outsourcing, Simon has co-founded multiple successful ventures, including Assembly Payments and Lazu. His deep understanding of technology, payments, and operational efficiency enables him to support businesses in building high-performing outsourced teams while driving cost efficiencies.

Since launching Teamified, Simon has been a trusted partner for companies looking to expand their onshore operations with a smarter, faster, and more strategic approach to outsourcing.

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