Riding the AI Wave: Top 10 Emerging Jobs for the Next 5 Years

Do you fear that AI will replace your hard-earned skills? Fear not.

Because, the good news is, according to the World Economic Forum, AI could eliminate 85 million jobs by 2025 while generating 97 million new ones, yielding a net gain of 12 million jobs (World Economic Forum, 2020).

Additionally, the global AI market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 37.3% from 2024 to 2030 (Grand View Research, 2023).

So, rather than replacing your hard-earned skills, AI is paving the way for a wave of fresh professions, and this article unveils the top 10 set to define this dynamic era:

1. Prompt Engineers

Role Description: Prompt Engineers design precise inputs (prompts) for AI models, especially large language models like GPT-4, to ensure accurate and relevant outputs. They bridge human intent and machine performance.

Statistics and Data: A McKinsey report indicates that software engineering, heavily reliant on AI, will see significant productivity gains, with programmers using AI tools completing 126% more projects per week (McKinsey & Company, 2024).

The global generative AI market, which depends on such expertise, is projected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 42% from 2023 (Bloomberg Intelligence, 2023).

Expected Burst: Demand for Prompt Engineers is anticipated to peak between 2025 and 2027, as businesses increasingly adopt these technologies.

2. AI Ethicists

Role Description: AI Ethicists develop ethical frameworks for AI, tackling issues like bias, transparency, and accountability.

Statistics and Data: The Stanford AI Index reports that U.S. AI-related regulations rose to 25 in 2023 from just one in 2016, a 56.3% increase in the past year (Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI, 2022).

Expected Burst: As regulatory pressures mount, demand for AI Ethicists will likely surge around 2026–2028, aligning with anticipated comprehensive AI laws.

3. AI Model Trainers

Role Description: AI Trainers refine AI systems by supplying high-quality training data and feedback to enhance performance.

Statistics and Data: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that computer and information technology occupations, including AI Trainers, will grow 11% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average, with 377,500 annual openings (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023).

The AI training dataset market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20.5% through 2027 (MarketsandMarkets, 2023).

Expected Burst: Demand is projected to rise significantly around 2025–2026, driven by expanding AI applications.

4. AI Auditors

Role Description: AI Auditors assess AI systems for compliance with ethical, regulatory, and performance standards.

Statistics and Data: Gartner forecasts that by 2025, 30% of large organizations will employ AI auditors to oversee AI operations (Gartner, 2022).

The AI governance market is expected to reach $1.2 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 35% (Allied Market Research, 2023).

Expected Burst: A marked increase in demand is expected starting in 2025, as auditing becomes standard practice.

5. Data Curators

Role Description: Data Curators organize and maintain high-quality datasets essential for AI training.

Statistics and Data: The global datasphere is projected to expand to 175 zettabytes by 2025 (IDC, 2023).

The data management market, critical for curation, is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 19.2% from 2023 to 2030 (Grand View Research, 2023).

Expected Burst: Demand will likely peak around 2025–2026, reflecting the urgent need for quality data in AI development.

6. Integration Specialists

Role Description: Integration Specialists embed AI technologies into existing business systems and processes.

Statistics and Data: Forrester predicts a 35% rise in demand for integration specialists by 2025 (Forrester, 2023).

Expected Burst: Significant growth is anticipated starting in 2025, as companies scale AI adoption.

7. AI Security Experts

Role Description: AI Security Experts safeguard AI systems against cyber threats and vulnerabilities.

Statistics and Data: Gartner projects a 40% increase in demand for AI security specialists by 2025 (Gartner, 2022).

The AI cybersecurity market is forecasted to reach $38.2 billion by 2026, with a CAGR of 23.6% (MarketsandMarkets, 2023).

Expected Burst: Demand is expected to surge around 2025, driven by rising AI-related security risks.

8. AI User Experience Designers

Role Description: AI User Experience Designers craft intuitive interfaces for AI-powered applications.

Statistics and Data: A Deloitte survey notes that 62% of companies plan to enhance AI-driven customer experiences by 2025 (Deloitte, 2023).

The global UX design market, influenced by AI, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.9% from 2023 to 2030 (Grand View Research, 2023).

Expected Burst: Demand is anticipated to rise around 2026–2027, as AI becomes more consumer-facing.

9. AI Diagnostic Specialists

Role Description: AI Diagnostic Specialists harness artificial intelligence to analyze medical data — such as diagnostic images, patient records, and symptoms — supporting healthcare providers in delivering precise and timely diagnoses.

Statistics and Data: A 2024 McKinsey report notes that AI-driven diagnostic tools can improve accuracy by up to 30% in fields like radiology and oncology (McKinsey & Company, 2024).

The AI in healthcare market is projected to reach $45.2 billion by 2026, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 44.9% from 2020, with diagnostics as a leading application.

Expected Burst: Demand is expected to surge between the end of 2025 and 2026, driven by widespread adoption of AI.

10. AI Research Scientists

Role Description: AI Research Scientists innovate new AI algorithms and applications.

Statistics and Data: The National Science Foundation notes a 74% increase in AI-related Ph.D.s from 2010 to 2020, signaling robust research growth (NSF, 2023).

The AI research market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 37.7% through 2030 (Grand View Research, 2023).

Expected Burst: Demand will remain steady with no single burst, as innovation drives continuous need.

What to Expect When Expecting AI to Change the Way We Work?

So, how do you catch this AI wave without wiping out?

• Start by diving into free online courses — think Coursera or edX — to brush up on data literacy or AI basics, skills that’ll shine in any of these emerging gigs.

• Engage with various AI tools to get a feel for prompts, or shadow a pro in healthcare or cybersecurity to see where you fit.

• Don’t sleep on soft skills either — communication and adaptability will keep you on the stage as machines handle the hard work.

• Join local tech meetups or online forums to swap ideas with others riding the same tide.

Sources

• Allied Market Research. (2023). AI governance market report.-

• Bloomberg Intelligence. (2023). Global generative AI market.

• Deloitte. (2023). Survey on AI‐driven customer experiences.

• Forrester. (2023). Integration specialists and AI adoption.

• Gartner. (2022). Forecast on AI auditing and AI security.

• Grand View Research. (2023). Global artificial intelligence market size, share & trends analysis report by component, by technology, by end use, by region, and segment forecasts, 2024–2030.

• IDC. (2023). Global datasphere projections.

• MarketsandMarkets. (2023). AI training dataset market.

• McKinsey & Company. (2024). AI’s impact on software engineering and diagnostic accuracy.

• National Science Foundation. (2023). AI research and education trends.

• Stanford Institute for Human‐Centered Artificial Intelligence. (2022). AI index.

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023). Occupational outlook handbook: Computer and information technology occupations.

• World Economic Forum. (2020). The future of jobs.