‘65% of primary school students will work in jobs that do not yet exist’: ILO

The International Labour Organization (ILO) Türkiye Director Yasser Hassan stated that 65% of children who begin primary school today are expected to work in jobs that do not yet exist but will emerge as a result of advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and technological transformation.

“We need to focus on reskilling and improving existing skills to prepare for the demands of the future workforce,” Hassan said.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the labor market, Hassan emphasized AI is transforming the world of work. He noted that even before AI, technological advancements and digitalization had already been reshaping industries, and this transformation is an ongoing process.

Highlighting the ILO’s role in closely monitoring these developments across its member countries, Hassan pointed out that the impact of AI varies between nations, regions, and continents.

‘5 sectors most affected by AI’

Referring to an ILO study on AI’s impact, Hassan outlined the five industries most likely to experience significant changes due to AI:

• Healthcare
• Administrative work
• Retail
• Banking
• Manufacturing

Emphasizing that AI will bring significant changes to the labor market, Hassan stated, “At the ILO, we believe that AI will not eliminate jobs but will rather transform them. It is crucial to consider these shifts—what types of jobs will disappear, and what new jobs will emerge? The outcome will depend on policies, business needs, employer strategies, and labor market interventions.”

Regarding the skills needed in the AI-driven labor market, Hassan stressed that ensuring the sustainability of skills is just as important as acquiring new ones or improving existing ones.

Predicting the rise of a hybrid work system in the future, Hassan noted: “The workforce does not need to be fully equipped with digital or AI-related skills.

By 2030, many jobs will incorporate digital and AI components, but human skills will still be in high demand to complement these technological changes.”