5 Jobs Positively Impacted by AI

Research from Indeed reveals that AI is affecting nearly 2,900 skills, and now, almost half of job skills are ready to be transformed by GenAI, in some capacity. Why? AI’s ability to efficiently conceptualize information, communicate and solve problems is an unprecedented tool that’s changing the skills landscape as we know it. 

AI is set to transform nearly all industries. In fact, the Cengage Group 2025 Employability Report found that skilled trades like healthcare (36%), technology (53%) and manufacturing (40%) have made GenAI and emerging technology skills a priority in hiring and over half of these organizations believe employees would benefit from this knowledge in the workplace. It’s clear that jobs will continue evolving as employees leverage the technology for certain tasks and functions. And that’s not a bad thing.

Let’s dive deeper into the top five jobs the World Economic Forum deems most likely to grow, how those roles are positively impacted by AI and how workforce training programs can ensure learners are developing AI literacy.  

Top Five Jobs Impacted by AI:

1. Agricultural Workers 

Yes, farmers still rely on tried-and-true tools like plows, sprinklers and seeders. Although AI can’t assist with manual labor, it can help farmers track weather patterns and soil conditions that could impact their harvest. This allows them to take preventative steps to protect their crops before poor weather strikes.  

Additionally, amid a global push for greener emissions to help fight climate change, the World Economic Forum predicts we could see the creation of 34 million more farming jobs by the end of the decade. 

2. Delivery Service Drivers 

Every day, over 12 million orders are placed on Amazon that need to be shipped and delivered to customers in a matter of days. That's just one retailer out of hundreds of others operating under similar deadlines and demand. It’s no surprise that job openings for truck and delivery drivers are expected to grow by 8% between now and 2034.  

To ease their job, AI can suggest better travel routes for quicker deliveries, safety alerts to let drivers know when they appear too tired to drive and hazard warnings to prevent accidents on the road.  

3. Software Developers and Engineers 

More than three-quarters (76%) of professional software developers are using or plan to use AI in their roles. These workers are already tech-savvy, but AI can take their productivity to new heights. By speeding up their ability to write code, identify bugs and generate documentation, software developers and engineers have more flexibility to take on complex projects, encouraging organizations to seek more talent. In fact, major technology companies like Apple and Google are hiring 13% and 16% more engineers, respectively.  

4. Construction workers 

Next year, the construction industry needs nearly 500,000 new workers, as the field is expected to grow by 4.7% by 2033. With the help of AI, construction companies can better prioritize safety in a historically dangerous field by using the technology to flag on-site hazards and identify defects in materials, such as cracks. With the technology supporting better safety and quality control, more job seekers may be encouraged to pursue these open positions.  

5. Retail Associates 

Despite the rise of AI shopping assistants, humans will still be needed to work alongside the technology to drive sales and engage with customers, as YouGov found that 45% of shoppers still prefer human assistance.  

But the use of AI is a welcome change, since it allows in-store sales representatives to instantly access information about inventory and customer preferences based on previous interactions. The tech can also provide real-time feedback about how they connected with shoppers to meet their needs. 

 

As described, although AI’s impact will be felt throughout the workforce, the way employees use it to support their day-to-day responsibilities will vary greatly. For AI to be used strategically, employers must understand how the tech can uniquely improve productivity and performance for their organization, and properly train employees on how to use AI in their particular roles.  

To do this, AI literacy must be embedded throughout the learning process. This means instead of having courses or training dedicated solely to AI literacy, educators and employers should embed it throughout all learning and development, no matter the subject. This way, learners and employees develop a deeper understanding of how they can use AI in real-life scenarios.  

At Cengage Group, we recognize AI’s essential role in career development and are dedicated to embracing it within our own organization. For example, our Global Operations team is using AI to create content, simplify communication, automate specific tasks to improve efficiency and process data – all of which help improve customer experience and workflows.  

And our commitment is only expanding through Cengage, which just launched Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: A Business Perspective, which combines our MindTap learning tools with new AI-powered video assignments to equip students with foundational AI literacy and skills. Also, in October, our cybersecurity education provider Infosec Institute expanded its partnership with LinkedIn Learning, increasing access to several specialized AI and cybersecurity courses, helping more workers gain the skills they need for today’s AI-driven workforce. 

The more today's learners can understand and work with AI, the more comfortable and prepared they'll feel using it throughout their careers. As AI continues to evolve the workforce, it's crucial to infuse AI literacy into all learning opportunities and keep a consistent pulse on the workforce’s AI needs and expectations.