Artificial Intelligence (AI) is replacing jobs at varying rates depending on the industry’s availability of data. Data-rich industries, such as finance and software development, are more susceptible to AI adoption due to their vast amounts of available data.
These sectors have already seen significant disruption. GitHub, a platform for developers, hosts over 420 million repositories, making it easier for AI tools like Copilot to learn from code examples. In customer support, IBM notes that AI uses call and email data to enhance responses and reduce costs by up to 23.5%.
On the other hand, industries with limited data, such as healthcare and construction, are struggling to adopt AI due to the lack of accessible information. Healthcare’s AI adoption lags behind others, largely because patient data is fragmented across different hospitals and insurance companies, making it difficult for AI to learn effectively.
As a result, some industries are resorting to invasive measures, like installing video monitoring in operating rooms or tracking students’ eye movements during exams. However, these solutions raise concerns about surveillance systems that may exceed their original purpose.
The economic reality of AI’s impact varies across sectors. In data-rich industries, “creative destruction” occurs at a rapid pace, replacing old jobs with new ones that require different skills. However, in data-poor industries, the transformation happens more slowly but cuts deeper, restructuring departments rather than simply replacing individual roles.
Job-seekers must focus on developing adaptability and flexibility, as well as basic AI literacy, to navigate this changing job market. By reframing their skills inventory around these traits and targeting “last mile” opportunities in their current industry, they can increase their chances of success.
Source: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/08/ai-jobs-replacement-data-careers