One of the most common questions professionals are asking today is about the fear surrounding AI and job security—a conversation that has become global.
History shows that technological revolutions often render certain jobs obsolete, but they also give rise to entirely new industries. When Henry Ford popularised the automobile, blacksmiths and horse-related trades declined—but mechanics, gas stations, and car factories emerged. Similarly, when Edison commercialised electric lighting, lamplighters lost work, but electricians, engineers, and power plant operators gained new roles.
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In the 1980s, no one could have imagined their children growing up to be web developers, digital marketers, or data scientists. These roles didn’t exist then—technology created them, and it continues to create new ones today.
Upskilling, reskilling, and adapting
The need of the hour is for individuals to reskill and adapt. People must embrace new tools, shift career paths, and find their place in an evolving economy.
Some governments and cities are experimenting with Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a potential safety net during these transitions. However, UBI is only part of the solution. What’s truly needed is deep investment in training, upskilling, and education.
AI is replacing tasks, not entire jobs
“AI will not replace 50 per cent of jobs, but it will replace 50 per cent of the tasks within many jobs,” said Alaa Dalghan, Managing Director of Cognit DX, during a session titled “Will AI Take My Job? Navigating Careers in the AI Era” at Dubai AI Week.
Jobs composed entirely of repetitive, routine tasks—such as copy-pasting, sorting data, or following fixed scripts—are most at risk. But roles that involve critical thinking, empathy, negotiation, creativity, or problem-solving are more likely to be enhanced by AI. It will take over the mundane tasks, giving professionals time to focus on more meaningful work.
Jobs that will thrive in the AI era
Three broad categories of jobs are expected to thrive:
- Manual & skilled trades – Roles like farming, plumbing, construction, and manufacturing require physical dexterity and adaptability, making them harder to automate.
- Jobs requiring soft skills – Empathy, leadership, communication, and teamwork are human-centric skills that AI struggles to replicate.
- Innovation and complex thinking – While AI excels at pattern recognition, it struggles with true innovation. Entrepreneurs, researchers, and inventors will continue to lead here.
AI as a productivity tool
IBM has generated over $3.5bn in ROI over the past two years through AI implementation, according to Shukri Eid, General Manager of IBM Gulf, Levant, and Pakistan.
Speaking during Dubai AI Week, Eid highlighted that AI is now a strategic priority for regional organisations, driving productivity and returns. IBM supports companies in applying AI across HR, supply chains, procurement, and app development, a WAM report said.
He noted that Dubai and the Middle East are seeing significant AI investments—from infrastructure to applications and model development. Many companies have moved beyond experimentation and are seeing real value.
A study by IBM and the Dubai Future Foundation found that 26 per cent of regional organisations have appointed a Chief AI Officer. This figure is expected to rise to between 50 per cent and 65 per cent in the next two years. Organisations with dedicated AI leadership are reporting 10 per cent higher returns on their AI investments.
Eid reaffirmed IBM’s commitment to supporting the UAE’s vision to become a global AI hub, partnering with institutions like Dubai Future Foundation, Mashreq Bank, and Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University.
Large Language Models: The next platform
Just as the internet, mobile, and cloud technologies defined previous eras, Large Language Models (LLMs) are becoming the fifth major platform.
When the iPhone was launched, Steve Jobs didn’t invent all the components—but he created the platform. Likewise, today’s LLMs are the foundation for a wave of innovations we’ve yet to imagine.
Entrepreneurs are already leveraging AI to handle tasks like accounting, legal drafting, and customer support—sometimes with only a few human team members and multiple AI “assistants.”
Prompting: The new power skill
In this new era, prompting—how we give instructions to AI—has become one of the most valuable skills. And you don’t need to be an engineer to do it well.
Think of AI as your intelligent assistant. Clear, specific, and structured instructions yield the best results. Here’s a simple framework:
- Role: Tell the AI who to act as (“Act as a lawyer…”)
- Task: Describe what you want it to do (“…and draft this contract…”)
- Context: Provide relevant background (“…for a SaaS company operating in Europe…”)
With this approach, anyone can start using AI effectively—no coding required.
The road ahead
The most important skill in today’s job market is the ability to reskill and upskill. AI isn’t the end of human work—it’s a transformation of it. The future belongs to those who can learn, adapt, and evolve.
