41% of companies worldwide plan to reduce workforces by 2030 due to AI

Artificial intelligence is set to reshape the workforce, with 41% of employers planning to reduce their headcount as AI automates certain tasks, according to a survey released Wednesday by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The survey, part of the WEF’s Future of Jobs Report, found that among the hundreds of large companies polled globally, 77% intend to reskill or upskill their existing workforce between 2025 and 2030 to collaborate more effectively with AI. However, unlike the 2023 edition of the report, this year’s findings did not emphasize that most technologies, including AI, would result in a net increase in jobs.

"Advances in AI and renewable energy are transforming the labor market—boosting demand for specialized tech roles while reducing demand for others, such as graphic designers," the WEF stated in a press release ahead of its annual Davos meeting later this month.

Saadia Zahidi, managing director of the WEF, noted in the report that generative AI is significantly reshaping industries and tasks across all sectors. Generative AI, which creates original text, images, and other content based on user prompts, is at the forefront of these changes.

Jobs at Risk

Roles such as postal service clerks, executive secretaries, and payroll clerks are projected to see the fastest decline, driven by the adoption of AI and other trends.

For the first time, roles like graphic designers and legal secretaries appeared near the top of the fastest-declining job categories—a reflection of generative AI's growing ability to handle knowledge-based tasks, the report suggested.

Growing Demand for AI Skills

At the same time, demand for AI-related expertise is surging. Nearly 70% of surveyed companies plan to hire workers with skills to design and improve AI systems, while 62% intend to recruit talent capable of working effectively alongside AI, according to data collected in the latest survey.

Despite the challenges, the report struck an optimistic tone, emphasizing that technologies like generative AI are likely to "augment" human abilities rather than replace them entirely. "The true potential lies in human-machine collaboration, reinforcing the continued importance of human-centered skills," the report said.

Job Losses Already Underway

Even so, many workers have already lost jobs to AI. In recent years, companies like Dropbox and Duolingo have cited AI as a key factor in workforce reductions, signaling the tangible impact of the technology on employment.