"As many as 7.1 million jobs could be lost through redundancy, automation or disintermediation, with the greatest losses in white-collar office and administrative roles," the World Economic Forum stated in its 'The Future of Jobs' report released Monday."The loss is predicted to be partially offset by the creation of 2.1 million jobs, mainly in...Computer and Mathematical or Architecture and Engineering."
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Referring to the transition as the "fourth industrial revolution," the report said the jobs losses will come about because of developments in artificial intelligence, machine-learning robotics, nanotechnology, 3D printing and genetics and biotechnology. Those developments will lead to widespread disruption not only in business models, but also in labor markets, "with enormous change predicted in the skill sets needed to thrive in the new landscape."
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Two areas of job growth identified through the survey were data analysts, to crunch the torrents of data generated and collected by organizations, and sales representatives skilled in commercializing and explaining a company's offerings to clients and investors.
Other growth areas were a new type of human resources and organizational development specialists, as well as jobs involving engineering skills in materials, biochemical, nanotech and robotics.
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The report said job losses would be felt equally between women (48 percent) and men (52 percent). But as men represented a larger share of the overall job market, women are expected to lose five jobs for every job gained, compared with men losing three jobs for every job gained.
Robots will cut 25% of US jobs in 4 years, transform workforce - report
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Re-skilling employees was cited as the most popular workforce strategy for how best to deal with the "sweeping changes," in addition to supporting mobility and job rotation.
Around 65 percent of children starting primary school today will end up working in jobs that don't yet exist, and their future training is crucial, according to the report. It also noted that the most in-demand occupations or specialties did not exist 10 or even five years go, and that the pace is set to accelerate.
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The report was based on a survey of senior executives from 350 companies across nine industries in 15 of the world's largest economies, representing 65 percent of the global workforce.
Comment: See more: Rise of the Machines? By 2035, half of all jobs in Japan could be performed by robots