Get Ready to Be Displaced: Workers Without AI Skills Finding It Harder to Get Jobs

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to show tangible impacts on the global workforce, particularly in determining who gets hired, earns higher salaries, and creates value for companies. Although a massive wave of job displacement has not fully materialised, changes in the career landscape are already evident. One statement frequently arising in discussions is that AI will not replace humans, but those who use AI will replace workers who do not. This statement is becoming increasingly relevant as the adoption of AI technology grows across various industrial sectors. In the three years since the launch of ChatGPT, AI usage has expanded rapidly and is no longer limited to predictions. Several companies are beginning to leverage AI to automate routine tasks, accelerate work processes, and create new business opportunities. At the same time, various workforce reskilling programmes and government initiatives to build AI talent are being intensified. Citing Forbes on Monday, 4 May 2026, data reveals that AI capabilities are now a significant differentiator in the labour market. In 2025, a PwC report noted that workers with AI skills received a 56 per cent salary premium compared to those without such abilities. This figure rose from 25 per cent the previous year, indicating growing demand for AI skills. Additionally, candidates who list AI skills on their CVs have an 8 to 15 per cent greater chance of passing the interview selection stage. Another survey shows that around 72.8 per cent of individuals with household incomes above £200,000 or the equivalent of Rp3.4 billion per year have increased their use of AI in the past year, suggesting a link between AI utilisation and income levels. Nevertheless, AI’s impact on layoffs has not yet become fully dominant. Reports indicate that AI was a factor in 25 per cent of layoff cases in 2026, up from 5 per cent in the same period in 2025. However, overall, layoffs linked to AI still account for about 5 per cent of total layoffs in the United States.