Recently, Gen Z seems to be pivoting to skilled trades, perhaps due to a desire for “AI-proof” job security. Many young workers now consider blue-collar careers to be more stable than office jobs in the face of rapid change.
author
- kirk chan
Professor of Management Technology, University of East London
- Susan Akinwalele
Senior Lecturer in Business Management, University of East London
Not just the youngest workers. Growing anxiety about AI is changing the way many people think about work. Within the younger group, this change is clearly visible in the numbers. In the UK, employment of Gen Z workers (those born after 1997) in construction and trade roles increased by 16.8% in the year to January 2026. The result is what some call the “toolbelt generation.”
But in other workplaces, many professionals are taking a pragmatic approach. They are learning how to work alongside automation, rather than competing with it. Building fluency skills using AI tools is increasingly seen as a form of career insurance.
The goal is to move into a role that designs, manages, or directs AI systems. In this model, technology becomes a force multiplier (i.e., a productivity enhancer) rather than a threat.
This change is also being driven by economics. AI-related skills have a clear advantage in the job market. There are other benefits besides salary. AI systems are particularly effective when handling repetitive and process-intensive tasks. When these functions are automated, employees can free up their energy to focus on strategy, creative problem solving, and higher-value decision-making.
Many people find that this change not only increases productivity, but also makes work more engaging and meaningful.
Importantly, you don’t necessarily need a computer science degree to enter the AI field. Employees can gain expertise in areas such as rapid engineering, workflow automation, and AI applications through online learning, bootcamps, or simply hands-on experimentation. The barrier to entry is lower than many think, especially for those who already understand a particular industry.
In fact, having industry knowledge is a huge advantage. Organizations are increasingly looking for people who can bridge domain expertise and technical capabilities. Healthcare professionals who understand what patients need and understand AI tools. Financial professionals who can apply machine learning to risk analysis. Merchants who use smart systems for efficiency can also bring unique value.
These hybrid profiles are at the heart of how companies integrate AI, creating interdisciplinary roles that did not exist a few years ago.
Inside out: risks and challenges
AI creates opportunities, but it also brings risks and trade-offs. One of the most pressing challenges is the pace of change. Keeping your skills up to date can feel like trying to hit a moving target. Particularly in competitive environments, where staying relevant is tied to job security, continually doing more can lead to fatigue and burnout over time.
There is also an initial cost. Transitioning to AI, especially to more technical or advanced positions, may require an investment of time and money before economic benefits are realized.
And AI is said to be contributing to the hollowing out of the traditional career ladder. Many entry-level roles that were once considered stepping stones into industries such as finance and marketing are being automated or reduced. As a result, entry routes into certain occupations may be narrowed before new occupations are established.
Finally, working with AI often means tackling complex ethical and safety issues. Workers must consider issues such as data bias, privacy, transparency, and accountability. Decisions made during system design and deployment can have far-reaching effects. Fulfilling these responsibilities requires sound judgment and a clear understanding of these consequences.
Looking to the future
In many fields, AI is unlikely to eliminate entire professions. Instead, it reshapes them. Tasks will be automated, workflows will evolve, and job descriptions will change. For most experts, the practical response is not to abandon their field, but to integrate AI into it.
At the same time, being technically fluent is not enough. Human skills become more important as routine and rule-based tasks become automated. Critical thinking, judgment, empathy, communication, and complex problem solving remain difficult to replicate with algorithms. Apparently, the more technology advances, the more valuable human power becomes.
Disparities between industries are also widening. AI is creating new high-paying roles in fields such as engineering, data science, and AI strategy. However, in occupations where automation only partially replaces tasks, increased productivity may not result in higher wages. In some cases, partial automation can suppress pay or reduce opportunities for advancement.
Retraining and career reorientation in the age of AI are becoming mainstream responses to structural change. AI is reshaping the way work is done across sectors, opening up new roles around monitoring, integration, strategy, and innovation. For many experts, the question is not whether change will come, but how aggressively we choose to respond.
The most resilient path forward is rarely to abandon one’s field altogether. Layering AI fluency on top of existing expertise is often necessary. For example, finance professionals who understand automation tools have an advantage over those who rely solely on traditional skills. In this sense, the purpose of retraining is to get closer to the decision-making layer of the job.
After all, the age of AI is not an age of optimism or fear. It’s about positioning. Retraining and career pivots are becoming central strategies for navigating this change with intention rather than reaction.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in, or receive funding from any company or organization that could benefit from this article, and the authors have disclosed no relevant affiliations other than academic appointments.
/Courtesy of The Conversation. This material from the original organization/author may be of a contemporary nature and has been edited for clarity, style, and length. Mirage.News does not take any institutional position or position, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the authors.
