KUALA LUMPUR — The job market as we know it is heading for a seismic shift by 2030, with once-stable professions slipping into obscurity, with postal service clerks, bank tellers, and data entry clerks topping the list of careers on the verge of extinction.
As automation and digitalisation dismantle traditional roles, cashiers, ticket clerks, and administrative assistants are not far behind, with tasks once handled by humans increasingly relegated to machines. Even printing workers, graphic designers, and telemarketers are seeing their relevance erode in the face of technological advancements.
The warning comes from the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, a grim testament to the forces reshaping the global economy.
A staggering 92 million jobs are set to be obliterated, casualties of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and relentless digitalisation. Meanwhile, a contrasting beacon of hope shines as 170 million new roles emerge from the ashes. But the message is clear: adapt or be left behind.
“Thirty-nine per cent of workers’ core skills are expected to change by 2030,” the report states, a stark reminder that the clock is ticking for reskilling and upskilling.
Jobs on the brink
Automation and digital solutions are wiping out manual tasks once performed by human hands. Cashiers and ticket clerks are being ushered towards extinction, as self-service kiosks and mobile payment systems take over.
Administrative assistants and executive secretaries, long the backbone of office environments, face a grim future. With automation streamlining communication and scheduling, the need for these human touchpoints is evaporating. Even printing workers, a profession rooted in craftsmanship, are witnessing the twilight of their trade as digital media dominates.
Graphic designers, too, find themselves on the list of declining careers. Sophisticated design software powered by AI threatens to automate creative processes, once the domain of human ingenuity. Additionally, roles like transportation attendants and conductors, claims adjusters, legal secretaries, and telemarketers are rapidly losing relevance.
The rise of the machines and new opportunities
While the report paints a dystopian picture for many traditional roles, it also charts a path to prosperity for those ready to ride the wave of innovation. Big data specialists, FinTech engineers, AI and machine learning specialists, and renewable energy engineers represent the future.
“Jobs in AI, cybersecurity, and renewable energy will be in high demand as industries prioritise sustainability and technological innovation,” the report states, signalling the dawn of a new era.
The rise of autonomous vehicles and the Internet of Things (IoT) will drive demand for specialists in software, data warehousing, and environmental engineering—fields where human expertise will remain invaluable.
The report also highlights demand for UI and UX designers, DevOps engineers, and information security analysts, professions crucial to shaping seamless digital experiences and safeguarding data in an interconnected world.
Employers have a critical role in this transition, but the stakes are higher than ever. According to the report, 85% of employers are ready to invest in upskilling their workforce, 75% aim to accelerate automation, and 70% seek new talent armed with future-proof skills. — January 12, 2025