Generative AI is poised to have a greater impact on white-collar positions than on blue-collar ones in the next decade, according to Pearson, an educational publishing and services firm. It can easily imitate many routine responsibilities in white-collar roles, such as managing calls or scheduling appointments. Pearson’s research indicates that approximately 30% or more of the tasks typically performed in a typical work week for certain white-collar roles could potentially be automated using generative AI.
However, blue-collar jobs are less susceptible to the changes brought about by technological advancements, particularly those that involve creative, hands-on, and cooperative tasks. Tasks carried out in a blue-collar worker’s weekly routine are rarely feasible for generative AI to handle, with less than 1% of them being automatable.
Roles like word processors, stall and market salespersons, administrative secretaries, and accountants will be among the most affected by generative AI, while sales and marketing managers, working proprietors, and directors in industries such as transport and communication, lodging and catering services, manufacturing, and lawyers will be the least affected. Therefore, white-collar employees need to focus on upskilling to enhance their skills and adapt to the changes, particularly in soft skills such as creativity, communication, and leadership, which cannot be readily replicated by generative AI.
According to the report, workers should learn how to use generative AI to become more efficient at repetitive tasks, thus improving productivity by spending more time on high-value activities. Munira Loliwala, AVP of strategy and growth at TeamLease Digital, emphasizes the importance of focusing on competencies such as technical and functional competency, leadership competency, behavioral competency, organizational competency, and situational-based competency. By focusing on these competencies, job seekers are less likely to be replaced by AI.
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