Latest news with #2025AIJobsBarometer
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Is your college degree becoming obsolete with AI's rise? Experts say there is a smarter way forward
College degrees may no longer guarantee job security as AI transforms hiring standards. PwC's report shows that job roles most affected by AI now evolve 66% faster, pushing companies to value real-time abilities over academic qualifications. Experts urge professionals to embrace continuous learning, master AI tools, and focus on adaptability to thrive in this dynamic, tech-driven future. As AI rapidly reshapes the job market, the importance of formal degrees is fading—especially in AI-exposed roles. According to PwC's 2025 AI Jobs Barometer, employers now prioritize current skills over past education. (Representational image: iStock) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Skills Are the New Currency in the Age of AI In sectors where AI tools are already widespread, the skills employers demand are changing 66% more rapidly than in roles with minimal AI influence according to the PwC report. (Representational image: iStock) Learn Fast, Stay Relevant: The New Career Imperative Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Degrees Still Matter—But Not in the Way You Think A college degree, long considered the golden ticket to employment, is now losing its luster—especially in jobs most exposed to artificial intelligence. According to PwC's 2025 AI Jobs Barometer, employer demand for formal degrees is on the decline, and nowhere is that trend more pronounced than in AI-driven sectors . As AI systems rapidly empower individuals to master knowledge and execute tasks with lightning speed, the need to prove expertise through traditional education is report, based on the analysis of nearly a billion job listings and thousands of company financial statements worldwide, paints a future where hiring managers care more about what you can do right now than what your diploma says you studied years fields like finance, software, and data analysis—where AI tools are already ubiquitous—the skills employers seek are evolving 66% faster than in jobs less touched by AI, such as physical therapy. This dramatic shift, up from 25% last year, is not just a trend but a signal that traditional academic qualifications may struggle to keep pace with the breakneck evolution of knowledge.'The emphasis on skills over degrees in hiring may help democratize opportunity,' the report notes, potentially leveling the playing field for those without the time or money to pursue multi-year university programs. It's not about what you learned then, but what you can do Atkinson, PwC's Global Chief AI Officer, believes the future belongs to those who take charge of their learning—especially when it comes to artificial intelligence. In a conversation with CNBC Make It, he emphasized that today's education is no longer confined to lecture halls and textbooks. Anyone with a laptop and internet connection can access AI models, understand prompt engineering, and train themselves in real time.'The ability individuals have to tap vast amounts of knowledge is amplified in this age of AI,' Atkinson said. He encourages professionals to dive into different AI platforms, follow tech updates, and most importantly, use the tools regularly. Practical, applied skills are what separate the AI-literate from the he warns, is now 'the new table stakes.' If you're not actively upskilling, you're already trailing this seismic shift, Atkinson isn't ringing the death knell for formal education just yet. He argues that universities still offer something vital: critical thinking, collaboration, and a foundation for higher-order reasoning.'Formal education is not just about skills acquisition—it's about how you think and interact with the world,' he said. Those qualities, he believes, will only grow more valuable as machines take over more mechanical to remain competitive in this new world, even degree-holders will need to commit to lifelong learning . The rise of AI demands not just knowledge, but agility—a mindset of constant is your college degree obsolete? Not quite. But if you think it's enough to futureproof your career, think again. The rise of AI is pushing workers to become perpetual learners, fluent in the language of algorithms and tools. In this emerging era, the true measure of your value isn't your credentials—it's your in this brave new world, those who learn fastest will lead the future.
Economic Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Is your college degree becoming obsolete with AI's rise? Experts say there is a smarter way forward
iStock As AI rapidly reshapes the job market, the importance of formal degrees is fading—especially in AI-exposed roles. According to PwC's 2025 AI Jobs Barometer, employers now prioritize current skills over past education. (Representational image: iStock) A college degree, long considered the golden ticket to employment, is now losing its luster—especially in jobs most exposed to artificial intelligence. According to PwC's 2025 AI Jobs Barometer, employer demand for formal degrees is on the decline, and nowhere is that trend more pronounced than in AI-driven sectors. As AI systems rapidly empower individuals to master knowledge and execute tasks with lightning speed, the need to prove expertise through traditional education is diminishing. The report, based on the analysis of nearly a billion job listings and thousands of company financial statements worldwide, paints a future where hiring managers care more about what you can do right now than what your diploma says you studied years ago. In fields like finance, software, and data analysis—where AI tools are already ubiquitous—the skills employers seek are evolving 66% faster than in jobs less touched by AI, such as physical therapy. This dramatic shift, up from 25% last year, is not just a trend but a signal that traditional academic qualifications may struggle to keep pace with the breakneck evolution of knowledge. 'The emphasis on skills over degrees in hiring may help democratize opportunity,' the report notes, potentially leveling the playing field for those without the time or money to pursue multi-year university programs. It's not about what you learned then , but what you can do now . Joe Atkinson, PwC's Global Chief AI Officer, believes the future belongs to those who take charge of their learning—especially when it comes to artificial intelligence. In a conversation with CNBC Make It , he emphasized that today's education is no longer confined to lecture halls and textbooks. Anyone with a laptop and internet connection can access AI models, understand prompt engineering, and train themselves in real time. 'The ability individuals have to tap vast amounts of knowledge is amplified in this age of AI,' Atkinson said. He encourages professionals to dive into different AI platforms, follow tech updates, and most importantly, use the tools regularly. Practical, applied skills are what separate the AI-literate from the left-behind. Self-learning, he warns, is now 'the new table stakes.' If you're not actively upskilling, you're already trailing behind. Despite this seismic shift, Atkinson isn't ringing the death knell for formal education just yet. He argues that universities still offer something vital: critical thinking, collaboration, and a foundation for higher-order reasoning. 'Formal education is not just about skills acquisition—it's about how you think and interact with the world,' he said. Those qualities, he believes, will only grow more valuable as machines take over more mechanical tasks. Still, to remain competitive in this new world, even degree-holders will need to commit to lifelong learning. The rise of AI demands not just knowledge, but agility —a mindset of constant is your college degree obsolete? Not quite. But if you think it's enough to futureproof your career, think again. The rise of AI is pushing workers to become perpetual learners, fluent in the language of algorithms and tools. In this emerging era, the true measure of your value isn't your credentials—it's your capability. And in this brave new world, those who learn fastest will lead the future.
CNBC
11-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
The rise of artificial intelligence can make college degrees 'out of date': Upskill in AI or fall behind, says expert
Employer demand for formal degrees is declining for all jobs, but more quickly for jobs exposed to artificial intelligence, according to the 2025 AI Jobs Barometer report by professional services firm PwC published last week. "AI helps people rapidly build and command expert knowledge ... which could make formal qualifications less relevant," according to the report which analyzed close to a billion job ads and thousands of company financial reports across six continents. The technology is also creating rapid turnover in the skills and knowledge workers need to succeed, which may mean that formal degrees become "out of date" more quickly, the report added. Notably, the skills that employers look for are changing 66% faster in occupations most exposed to AI, such as financial analyst, compared to those least exposed, such as physical therapist. This is up from the 25% recorded last year, according to PwC's data. "For workers, a greater emphasis on skills over degrees in hiring may help to democratise opportunity, opening doors for those who lack the time or resources to gain formal degrees," the report said. "In AI-exposed fields, what matters is increasingly what people can do today, not what they studied in the past." Today, education isn't limited to formal institutions or universities anymore, as you can learn using AI tools and LLMs (large language models), PwC Global Chief AI Officer Joe Atkinson told CNBC Make It. In order to adapt and futureproof your career in the rapidly changing work landscape, he suggested upskilling on AI at home. "I think the ability individuals will have to tap vast amounts of knowledge is amplified in this age of AI," said Atkinson. This is leading to a new kind of economy where "the bar for everybody goes higher, because the access we all have to knowledge will be greater." "The AI models are developing capabilities at a speed that is incredible ... I think anybody that is not uncomfortable feeling like they are constantly trying to keep up, probably isn't paying attention," he said. He suggested exploring the different AI models, figuring out the differences between them, learning how to prompt LLMs, monitoring tech blogs and practicing using the tools as much as possible. "What's most important is that AI skills are practical skills. They're applied skills ... you have to use the tech," he said. The dedication to self-learning during this era is becoming "the new table stakes. If you're not able to do that, you are going to fall behind so quickly." "The reality is we can't fear the tech. We have to embrace the tech," added Atkinson. But ultimately, formal education isn't only about acquiring knowledge and skills — "it's about the whole person," he said. "It's about how you think and how you interact and how you critique. I think those higher-order capabilities ... become more valuable in the future, not less."
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Amid job loss fears due to automation, a shocking new report reveals how AI is actually making workers ‘more valuable'
As anxiety mounts over artificial intelligence (AI) threatening jobs and wages, a groundbreaking new study by professional services giant PwC turns the narrative on its head. Contrary to fears that AI will lead to widespread layoffs and wage suppression, the research shows that AI is making workers more valuable — boosting both employment and pay across industries. The Speed of AI Innovation: A Double-Edged Sword? Joe Atkinson, PwC's Global Chief AI Officer, emphasizes the unprecedented pace of AI advancements. Speaking to CNBC Make It , Atkinson noted, 'The tech innovation is moving really, really fast — faster than anything we've ever seen.' Yet, instead of causing disruption through job losses, AI is creating new roles and opportunities. 'What the report suggests, actually, is AI is creating jobs,' he said. Jobs and Wages Climb in AI-Exposed Occupations The 2025 AI Jobs Barometer report, analyzing over 800 million job ads worldwide, reveals a surprising trend: jobs and wages are growing in nearly every role where AI can be applied. This includes occupations considered highly automatable, such as customer service and software development. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Gel Makes Mold Disappear Like Magic CleanLix Learn More Undo Carol Stubbings, PwC UK's Global Chief Commercial Officer, highlights a crucial challenge — not the loss of jobs but the evolving skillsets required. 'Workers need to be prepared to take the new jobs that AI is creating,' she said. The report warns against complacency, urging workforce adaptation as the key to thriving alongside AI. — KirkDBorne (@KirkDBorne) Busting the Biggest AI Myths PwC's extensive research debunks six common misconceptions about AI's impact on the labor market. Far from stagnating productivity, industries most exposed to AI have seen productivity growth nearly quadruple since 2022. Contrary to fears of wage suppression, workers with AI skills earn on average 56% more than their peers without those skills—a significant rise from 25% last year. You Might Also Like: As AI redefines engineers' roles, Cisco CPO Jeetu Patel reveals 'grossly underestimated' skills needed for the future Even the myth that AI reduces overall job numbers doesn't hold up. Occupations less exposed to AI grew by 65% from 2019 to 2024, while AI-exposed jobs still posted a robust 38% growth. Furthermore, the report finds AI does not worsen inequality; wages and job opportunities are rising in AI-augmented and automatable roles, with employer demand for formal degrees decreasing in these sectors—potentially widening access. AI as a Job Enricher, Not a Job Killer Another surprise: AI is enriching jobs traditionally seen as vulnerable to automation. By automating mundane tasks, AI frees workers to develop more complex, creative skills. Data entry clerks, for example, are evolving into data analysts, increasing their value in the workplace. The report also shows that even jobs highly susceptible to automation are becoming more complex and creative, ultimately enhancing human worth rather than devaluing it. Could Gentler Job Growth Be a Hidden Blessing? With many countries facing declining working-age populations, the study suggests that moderated job growth in AI-affected fields might be beneficial. AI-driven productivity gains create a multiplier effect, filling workforce gaps and enabling companies to grow more efficiently. You Might Also Like: Are advanced AI models exhibiting 'dangerous' behavior? Turing Award-winning professor Yoshua Bengio sounds the alarm Atkinson concludes, 'It's a prediction supported by the productivity data we're seeing… It could absolutely and will be a good thing.' AI: From Efficiency Tool to Growth Strategy The report urges companies to rethink AI as more than a cost-cutting tool. Instead, AI should be embraced as a powerful growth engine. Businesses are encouraged to help employees adapt, innovate, and collaborate to create new markets and revenue streams. 'It is critical to avoid the trap of low ambition. Instead of limiting our focus to automating yesterday's jobs, let's create the new jobs and industries of the future,' the report advocates. Historically, technology has been a wellspring of new jobs — with two-thirds of today's U.S. jobs nonexistent in 1940. PwC's research suggests AI could ignite a similar wave of innovation, reshaping the workforce for decades to come.
