AI and Supply Chains: Shaping the Future of Work

The pace of change in the global economy shows no signs of slowing, as technological innovations, economic uncertainty and demographic shifts continue to reshape industries.
Nowhere is this transformation more evident than in supply chains and labour markets. As AI advances, businesses face opportunities and challenges that will define the next decade.
Labour markets are undergoing significant upheaval, with AI poised to replace many manual roles while simultaneously creating new jobs.
The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Future of Jobs Report 2025 predicts this shift will rival the industrial revolution in scale, driven by AI and other information processing technologies.
In the report, the WEF estimates that by 2030, technological advances will impact 86% of businesses, creating 170 million jobs globally while displacing 92 million. This dual impact illustrates the delicate balance between innovation and disruption that characterises today’s economic environment.
The report, based on a survey of 1,000 companies across 22 industries and 55 economies, highlights the need for businesses and workers to adapt. While many traditional roles are being displaced, new opportunities are emerging, particularly for those equipped with the right skills to harness AI’s potential.
From ChatGPT to soaring AI investment
Since OpenAI launched ChatGPT in November 2022, investment in generative AI (Gen AI) has surged nearly eightfold. This wave of capital has spurred advancements not only in software but also in the physical infrastructure that supports AI, such as servers and energy facilities.
The technology sector leads AI adoption, while industries like construction lag behind.
Middle- and high-income economies have seen widespread Gen AI adoption, while uptake remains limited in lower-income regions. AI tools such as ChatGPT have already demonstrated their ability to enhance human performance, especially in roles requiring specialised skills.
For instance, Gen AI enables less experienced workers to perform tasks previously limited to experts, expanding opportunities for clerks, nurses and teaching assistants.
This shift also marks a departure from the widespread fear that AI will primarily eliminate jobs. Instead, the technology is increasingly seen as a tool to empower workers, helping organisations optimise their supply chains and workforce efficiency.
Automation’s role in manufacturing
Automation is another area transforming industries, particularly in manufacturing.
Robotics installations are heavily concentrated in just five countries – China, Japan, the US, South Korea and Germany – which together account for 80% of global deployments. These nations also lead in robot density, which has doubled in the past seven years to 162 units per 10,000 employees.
The impact of robotics on supply chains varies significantly by region. More than 60% of employers in the top five countries anticipate major transformations from robotics by 2030, compared to just 39% in Sub-Saharan Africa and 44% in the Middle East and North Africa.
This growing reliance on automation underscores the need for continuous upskilling.
Judith Wiese, Chief People and Sustainability Officer at Siemens AG, notes: “Imagine if a five-year degree were designed for today’s skills; by the time it is completed, two years’ worth of those skills would already be outdated.”
The WEF echoes this sentiment, reporting that 39% of existing skill sets will become outdated by 2030, even as companies accelerate workforce training efforts.
Online platforms such as Coursera are responding to this challenge by offering courses in Gen AI training. India and the US lead enrolment numbers, driven by corporate sponsorships and individual learners seeking to develop foundational skills like prompt engineering – the practice of crafting effective inputs for AI systems.
- 86% of employers expect AI and information processing technologies to transform their business by 2030
- 170 million new jobs to be created globally by 2030, while 92 million existing roles face displacement
- Investment in Gen AI has increased eightfold since ChatGPT's launch
- 39% of existing skill sets will become outdated between 2025-2030
- 85% of employers plan to prioritise workforce upskilling
- 63% of employers identify skills gaps as the primary barrier to business transformation
"As we enter 2025, the landscape of work continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Transformational breakthroughs, particularly in Gen AI, are reshaping industries and tasks across all sectors."
Upskilling workers for a digital supply chain
Addressing skills gaps remains a top priority for businesses, with 63% of employers identifying this as the primary barrier to transformation. According to the WEF, 85% of companies plan to prioritise upskilling their workforce, while 70% aim to hire staff with new, AI-relevant skills.
The fastest-growing roles include big data specialists, AI engineers and fintech experts, reflecting technology’s central role in reshaping supply chains.
Simultaneously, green transition roles, such as renewable energy engineers and autonomous vehicle specialists, are expanding, driven by the need to combat climate change.
However, frontline roles like farmworkers, delivery drivers and construction workers are also seeing growth, particularly as demographic shifts increase demand for care economy jobs, including nursing and social work.
The global emphasis on sustainable practices is further reshaping industries, with 47% of employers expecting climate change mitigation to transform their businesses by 2030.
Ultimately, the intersection of technology, sustainability and shifting demographics is creating a landscape where adaptability is crucial.
As Judith stresses: “Urgent upskilling is essential, as nearly 40% of the skills currently required on the job are set to change.”
Looking ahead, the challenges are undeniable, but the opportunities are equally significant.
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