Lately I’ve been on an AI binge. Reading online papers, watching youtube videos on how to build different agents and models. I am debating buying a mac mini at the office to try running some of these models.
Last night I stumbled across PwC’s article: 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer, and I kinda like what it had to say. It’s different from the usual doom-and-gloom narrative I’ve grown somewhat numb to. I like that it puts a spotlight on a different reality where AI isn’t about replacing people, but making them, somehow, more valuable.
The article analyzed nearly a billion job ads across six continents and still came to oneconclusion: It’s making people who understand AI more valuable. Industries that have leaned into AI are now seeing three times the revenue-per-employee growth and a near-quadrupling of productivity since 2022. Remarkably, wages are rising two times faster in these AI-exposed sectors, and workers with AI skills like prompt engineering are commanding 56% salary premiums. As someone who prides on employee training and growth, this create a whole new opportunity.
Basically the market is rewarding people who can speak with AI. Similar to when people who knew how to use Microsoft Office and Google. These stats confirm what I’ve been feeling as an operations lead:
1. AI isn’t the enemy, complacency is. This report shows companies aren’t just cutting payroll; they’re doubling down on people who use AI. The real risk isn’t AI, it’s passive operators who treat AI as a checkbox instead of a performance multiplier.
2. It’s not enough to be good. You need new skills. PwC identified that skills requirements are evolving 66% faster in AI-exposed roles. That means if I’m not constantly upskilling, I’m already falling behind.
3. AI creates space to do strategic, not mundane work. Wages are up even for jobs that have the highest automation potential. That’s because employees are now freed to handle higher-order thinking, strategy, nuance stuff AI can’t replicate.
This is a good read. It’s nice to see that the market is saying the benefits of AI for employees is a good thing.
Article link: https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/artificial-intelligence/ai-jobs-barometer.html
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