Artificial intelligence already affects a quarter of workers and is reshaping job roles

A 2025 study by the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that one in four workers worldwide performs tasks that involve some degree of interaction with generative AI. However, the organization stresses that the trend is towards transforming jobs rather than their outright disappearance.

Signs that AI is already part of the workplace

The first sign appears when tasks previously done manually start to be performed by AI tools. This happens, for example, in writing summaries, organizing data, editing texts, generating reports, or creating initial versions of presentations.

Another indicator is when companies start monitoring how employees use technology. Internal policies, corporate platforms, training programs, and even adoption targets become part of daily routines, showing that AI has moved from being an individual experiment to being integrated into business processes.

Changes in required skills

A job role may also become more exposed when companies look for new skills to perform the same type of work. Instead of just executing a task, professionals now need to review AI-generated results, interpret information, ask more precise questions, and decide what should or should not be automated.

A 2026 global analysis by PwC, based on over one billion job ads, shows that the skills required for roles most affected by AI evolve twice as fast as those in less affected areas.

From repetitive tasks to analysis and decision-making

As tools take over repetitive steps, human work tends to focus on higher-value activities. For example, a marketing professional may spend less time writing initial drafts and more time defining strategy, evaluating data, and making fine adjustments. In finance, technology organizes information, but decisions and analysis still rely on human judgment.

Data from Anthropic, gathered from millions of interactions with the Claude model, confirms that AI use is mainly concentrated in software development, technical writing, and other professional activities, with a focus on enhancing human capabilities rather than completely replacing tasks.

Experience is now valued differently

Exposure to AI also becomes evident when technical knowledge is no longer enough to perform a task, and it becomes necessary to evaluate the machine’s output. In 2026, PwC found that new responsibilities added to AI-exposed roles are more closely linked to skills such as judgment, creativity, and empathy.

Among early-career professionals, some AI-impacted jobs have also started to require skills traditionally associated with senior roles, such as leadership and strategic thinking. This does not mean jobs will be eliminated; the ILO study itself suggests that most occupations will be transformed rather than disappear.

For workers, observing which tasks are changing, which tools are being adopted, and which skills are appearing in job descriptions can help them understand how their own work is being redesigned.