AI, new skills reshaping future of work: IMF

​​​​​​​By Mucahithan Avcioglu

ISTANBUL (AA) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported Wednesday that artificial intelligence (AI) and quickly evolving skill requirements are changing global labor markets, cautioning that policy decisions will determine whether the shift increases productivity or exacerbates inequality.

The IMF said in a statement that there is a substantial increase in demand, especially in advanced economies, for "new skills," which include digital, technical and advanced managerial competencies

A report said almost 10% of job ads in advanced economy nations call for at least one new talent, which is about twice as high as the percentage in emerging economies. Professional and technical jobs, particularly those related to information technology, account for the majority of the demand.

The financial institution stated that employees with new talents typically earn higher wages. Job advertisements in the US and the UK that call for new abilities give pay premiums of about 3%, with significantly greater increases for positions needing several new competencies. By increasing local employment and spending, the pay rises may potentially have wider economic repercussions.

The impact of AI-specific talents is more complicated, the IMF warned. Adoption of AI increases productivity and favors highly-trained people, while overall employment levels have often decreased in areas with high demand for AI capabilities. Job losses have been most noticeable in professions that are highly susceptible to automation, especially entry-level positions.

The IMF pointed to differences in the readiness of countries to adapt. Northern European economies such as Finland, Ireland and Denmark rank among the most prepared, reflecting strong education systems and investments in lifelong learning. By contrast, many emerging and low-income economies face gaps in skill supply and demand.

The IMF stressed that education and training systems must be reoriented toward skills that complement AI, while social safety nets and labor market policies should help workers transition into new roles as technology reshapes the global economy.