41% of Firms Plan AI-Driven Workforce Cuts by 2030

Published Date : 09/01/2025 

Artificial intelligence is poised to reshape the job market, with 41% of companies planning to downsize their workforce by 2030 as AI automates various tasks. However, a majority are also investing in reskilling and upskilling their employees to work alongside AI. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making waves in the job market, and a recent World Economic Forum (WEF) survey reveals that 41% of companies plan to reduce their workforce by 2030 due to AI automation.

The survey, which included hundreds of large companies worldwide, also indicates that 77% of these organizations are preparing to reskill and upskill their existing workers between 2025 and 2030 to better integrate with AI technologies.

This year's WEF Future of Jobs Report, unlike its 2023 counterpart, does not claim that most technologies, including AI, will be a net positive for job numbers.

Instead, the report highlights the transformative impact of AI and renewable energy on the labor market.

While these advancements are expected to boost demand for technology and specialist roles, they may also lead to a decline in others, such as graphic designers.

Saadia Zahidi, the WEF’s managing director, emphasized the role of generative AI in reshaping industries across all sectors.

Generative AI, which can create original content like text, images, and more in response to user prompts, is poised to significantly alter job landscapes.

Certain jobs are expected to experience the fastest decline in numbers.

Postal service clerks, executive secretaries, and payroll clerks are among those roles.

The report also notes that graphic designers and legal secretaries, which have not previously been predicted to decline, may now be at risk due to the increasing capacity of generative AI to perform knowledge work.

On the flip side, companies are increasingly looking to hire new workers with AI-specific skills.

Nearly 70% of companies plan to recruit workers who can design AI tools and enhancements, while 62% intend to hire more people with skills to work alongside AI.

This trend suggests a growing need for AI expertise in the job market.

The report strikes an optimistic note, suggesting that the primary impact of AI on jobs might be in augmenting human skills through human-machine collaboration, rather than outright replacement.

The continued importance of human-centered skills, such as creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence, remains a key factor in this dynamic.

However, the reality is that many workers have already been displaced by AI.

Tech companies like Dropbox and Duolingo have cited AI as a reason for recent layoffs.

This highlights the immediate and ongoing impact of AI on the job market, even as it opens new opportunities. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS):

Q: What percentage of companies plan to reduce their workforce by 2030 due to AI?

A: 41% of companies plan to reduce their workforce by 2030 due to AI automation, according to a World Economic Forum survey.

Q: How many companies are planning to reskill and upskill their employees to work with AI?

A: 77% of companies are planning to reskill and upskill their existing workers between 2025-2030 to better integrate with AI technologies.

Q: Which jobs are expected to see the fastest decline due to AI?

A: Jobs expected to see the fastest decline due to AI include postal service clerks, executive secretaries, payroll clerks, graphic designers, and legal secretaries.

Q: What skills are in high demand due to AI advancements?

A: AI skills, such as designing AI tools and enhancements, and skills to better work alongside AI, are in high demand. Close to 70% of companies are planning to hire workers with these skills.

Q: How does the report view the impact of AI on jobs?

A: The report suggests that the primary impact of AI on jobs might be in augmenting human skills through human-machine collaboration, rather than outright replacement, emphasizing the continued importance of human-centered skills. 

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