Davos 2026: How AI, Skills, and Job Readiness Are Reshaping the Global Economy

AI and the Shock to the Global Workforce

When leaders, CEOs, economists, and technologists gathered this year at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the conversation was sharply focused on one reality: artificial intelligence is not a distant promise. It is already transforming jobs and careers today. The dominant theme of the summit was clear from the outset. AI’s integration into industries around the world is forcing everyone, from students to CEOs, to rethink what skills will matter in the coming decade, how work gets done, and who risks being left behind in the race for economic relevance.

One of the most cited voices at the summit was Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund. She warned that AI represents a “tsunami” hitting labour markets, reshaping up to 60 percent of jobs in advanced economies and about 40 percent globally. Georgieva pointed out that entry level roles, typically the gateway jobs for young workers entering the workforce, are especially vulnerable because many tasks in those roles are easily automated by AI systems. She asked a blunt question: where are the guardrails? This is moving so fast, and yet we do not know how to make it safe or inclusive. The warning was not framed as fear mongering. Instead, it was a call for urgent skill building.

From Job Titles to Skills First Careers

Across panels and closed door sessions, Davos consistently reinforced that the future of work will be defined by skills rather than job titles. Traditional career paths are breaking down as employers increasingly describe roles in terms of capabilities rather than fixed positions. AI is reshaping tasks inside jobs, not just eliminating or creating roles, and only those with the right skills will be able to work effectively alongside it.

This message was echoed by some of the most influential technology leaders in the world. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, told participants that advanced AI systems are becoming foundational infrastructure, comparable to electricity or the internet. According to Altman, the critical question is no longer whether AI will affect jobs, but how deeply it will change the way every job is performed. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella reinforced this idea by describing AI as a “copilot for every role,” from engineers and designers to doctors and teachers. Both leaders stressed that AI literacy will soon be a basic career requirement, not a specialised skill reserved for technologists.

How Companies Are Rewriting Hiring and Talent

Corporate leaders backed these ideas with concrete examples from inside their organisations. Accenture CEO Julie Sweet spoke about retraining tens of thousands of employees to work alongside AI systems rather than be replaced by them. Google executives highlighted the growing demand for roles in data engineering, machine learning operations, and responsible AI governance. These roles barely existed a few years ago. The signal from Davos was clear: degrees and credentials alone are no longer enough. Employers are prioritising adaptability, analytical thinking, and the ability to learn continuously.

IBM CEO Arvind Krishna offered a more balanced and pragmatic view. He acknowledged that AI will automate certain routine tasks, particularly in clerical and repetitive roles. At the same time, he emphasised that AI will create higher value jobs in system design, data analysis, and decision making. However, Krishna warned that these opportunities will not automatically reach everyone. Without serious investment in education and reskilling, AI could deepen existing inequalities between those who are prepared and those who are not.

Environmental sustainability was tightly woven into the skills conversation at Davos. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reminded attendees that climate change has not disappeared simply because geopolitical tensions and AI dominate headlines. Leaders from Siemens and Schneider Electric explained how AI is already being used to optimise energy grids, reduce industrial emissions, and improve resource efficiency. Their message was consistent: climate goals cannot be achieved without strong data capabilities and a workforce trained to use them effectively.

Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, highlighted a critical bottleneck in the global energy transition. While clean energy technologies are advancing rapidly, the transition is being slowed by a shortage of skilled workers. According to Birol, the problem is not a lack of innovation, but a lack of people trained to deploy, manage, and scale these solutions. Green jobs in renewable energy, electric mobility, and climate analytics are growing fast, but education systems are struggling to keep up with industry needs.

Another striking theme at Davos was the anxiety felt by young people about their future careers. Data shared from organisations such as LinkedIn and UNICEF showed that Gen Z is more concerned about job displacement from AI than any previous generation. Many young people fear that automation will replace them before they even have a chance to enter the workforce. Leaders at Davos repeatedly emphasised that confidence, communication, and adaptability will be as important as technical skills in navigating this uncertainty.

Data and Communication as Core Career Skills

Data emerged as the common thread connecting nearly every major discussion. PwC Global Chair Mohamed Kande noted that many companies fail to extract real value from AI not because the technology is weak, but because they lack strong data foundations and people who can interpret insights meaningfully. In this context, data literacy is becoming a form of career currency. It is relevant not only for engineers, but for professionals across business, policy, sustainability, and healthcare.

Alongside data, communication was repeatedly highlighted as a defining skill for the future. As AI systems, climate policies, and economic reforms become more complex, leaders stressed the importance of clear thinking and clear speaking. In a world shaped by misinformation and rapid technological change, the ability to explain ideas, persuade stakeholders, and lead conversations is becoming a critical leadership advantage.

The overall message from Davos was not just about technology or economics. It was about readiness. Careers of the future will not follow linear paths. Jobs will evolve faster than job descriptions, and success will depend on the ability to understand data, adapt to new tools, and communicate with clarity and confidence.

This is where education must fundamentally change. Data Science is no longer a niche discipline reserved for specialists. It is a foundational skill for understanding artificial intelligence, sustainability challenges, economic systems, and global decision making. Public Speaking is no longer a soft skill. It is essential for leadership, influence, and impact in a world where ideas travel fast and scrutiny is constant.

How Futurowise can help

At Futurowise, our programs in Data Science and Public Speaking are designed around these global realities highlighted at Davos. Data Science equips students to analyse, interpret, and act on information in an AI driven world. Public Speaking empowers them to articulate ideas clearly, engage confidently with complex topics, and lead conversations that matter. As the World Economic Forum made clear this year, the future of jobs will belong to those who build the right skills early and continuously. Futurowise exists to help students do exactly that. Explore our upcoming programs here: https://www.futurowise.com/courses