The essential jobs in 2034

By 2045, AI will have reached singularity, the point where machines become self-aware or capable of continuous improvement, beyond human control.¹

But what new wave of technologies will be driving that change, and what skills will we need to service this monumental shift?

Let’s look forward to 2034 to understand which future jobs will become essential to businesses in adapting to these changes and securing a continuous, technology-driven future.

Shifted, not displaced

In 10 years, an acceleration in the use of AI, robotics, ML, VR and the metaverse will create an abundance of new technology jobs² including a greater need for data analysts and developers. These analysts and developers will enable more companies to adopt more technologies, in turn maintaining competitiveness.

But while these skills enter more parts of the business, companies also have a duty of care to the remaining employees faced with a decreasing demand for their skills. Employers must ensure their rich and continued future careers by providing training for both early and mid-career professionals to support the transition to the 2034 workforce. This also prevents a potentially costly skills gap such as the one seen in cyber security.

Engineers, data scientists and cyber security specialists

By 2034 new processes and ways of working will be emerging from the widespread use of AI and the adoption of quantum computing. One study shows that security professionals, programmers and data scientists are some of the fastest growing professions,² likely driven by this push for tech-driven change.

Engineers - covering such roles as DevOps, quality and cloud - will be needed to ensure a smooth digital transition and greater automation deployment.

Programmers too will have a starring role. When generative AI enables more people to complete programming tasks without the current requisite skills, there will be a greater need for people with advanced programming knowledge to build ever more advanced tools to service this growing interest.³

Supporting these engineers and programmers will be a new wave of data scientists who are able to analyse and utilise new insights and support engineer decision-making. This analytics-driven era will place these professionals into new areas of the business with a likely tussle for the available talent when the increased need arises.

No business transition comes without risk and tech adoption is no different. As such, cyber security professionals will become essential to more companies, in more sectors by 2034 and, without addressing the existing skills gap, will put more of these people under pressure.

But the future is not bleak as an increasing suite of robust, predictive and agile cyber security products is empowering these professionals to defend against the advanced and changing cyber threat landscape.

Hire for adaptability

In this shifting era, the phrase hire for attitude rings truer than ever. An adaptive, resilient person will do better when the goalposts are shifted and companies are waking up to this idea. Currently, analytical thinking is considered to be the most important skill for employers, making up 9.1% of requested skills.⁴

Unlike professions experiencing skills shortages, the impediment to greater analytical skills and data literacy is culture with 91.9% reporting it as their primary barrier.⁵ This turns the spotlight onto employers - they must adopt a flexible approach to the workplace to ensure skills shortages are not triggered by an old-world view of employment. By adopting a flexible workplace and hiring with diversity in mind, employers will ensure their talent pipeline is conducive to growth and developing leadership. One opportunity is gender-based diversity; since 60% of senior management positions are held by men, there are simply fewer women in the pipeline to C suite roles.⁶

Predict and act

By 2034 quantum computing will be widespread, led by corporations seeking optimised investment strategies, robust encryption and product improvements.⁷  In parallel, a greater permeation of AI will improve operational efficiencies for companies that adopted it early.

As these technologies become widespread companies will need to develop a workforce that is tech-literate and capable of working alongside their new, technology specialist colleagues.

A key component of Singtel’s new data centre brand Nxera is a training academy that will build a strong talent pipeline of data centre specialists of the future. The academy will train more than 150 students a year on the key elements of data centre development such as sustainability and a high-density AI environment.

Similarly, when it comes to quantum computing and countering quantum threats, it’s more than just developing a point solution. While building the Quantum-Safe Network with partner IDQ, Singtel is also co-developing a bigger talent pool with deep expertise in design, solutioning, engineering and operations of Quantum-Safe Networks. What’s more, customers have full control over their encryption keys as well as insights into monitoring, incident and change management. This means quantum development isn’t a closed-door activity but actively educates those who use it.

Be the change

By only 2027, 6 in 10 workers will need training to remain competitive in this tech-driven landscape but only half currently have access to the right opportunities.⁴ The additional, new wave technologies driven by data analytics and increased use of AI will need more people, with the right skills to service this ambitious, tech-driven future.

The future belongs to the companies and people willing to embrace change and seek innovative solutions. Adopt technology to secure your future workforce. Talk to us about tech-enabled sustainability.

Discover how Singtel can help you achieve tech-driven, positive change here.

References:

1. The Conversation, 2023, Futurists predict a point where humans and machines become one. But will we see it coming?
2. Forbes, 2021, The 30 fastest growing jobs and careers for the next 10 years
3. The New York Times, 2023, It’s the end of computer programming as we know it
4. World Economic Forum, 2023, Future of jobs 2023: These are the most in-demand skills now - and beyond
5. Forbes, 2022, 5 ways to grow business value through analytics
6. McKinsey, 2023, Women in the workplace
7. Harvard Business Review, 2022, Quantum computing for business leaders