The Workscape of 2025: AI, Employment, and Opportunity

Trends Shaping Work, Education, and Beyond

As a professor researching the future of work and education at NYU Abu Dhabi, I spend a lot of time tracking the currents shaping our world. These days everyone is talking about Artificial Intelligence – and they should! But there is much more to keep an eye in the year ahead. Heading into 2025, here’s what I see on the horizon—challenges, opportunities, and the push-pull of progress. Aside from the big headlines, there is an underlying issue of youth (un)employment that I think we can all help address in 2025!

Youth Employment is Key to Global Progress:

The Case for Investing in Youth in 2025!

A key #SDG8 Commitment

One of the greatest untapped resources for 2025? Young people. Yet, the data tells us we're failing them. In 2023, 20% of young people globally were NEET (not in employment, education, or training). Alarmingly, two-thirds of these NEETs are women. Meanwhile, 13% of the global young labor force is unemployed, a stark reminder of how hard it is for youth to find decent work. (All stats from the ILO).

Unfortunately, youth unemployment rates are the lowest they’ve been in 15 years. More challenging still the International Labor Organization highlights that young adults in low-income countries are still three times more likely to face insecure work than those in high-income nations. Without access to secure jobs and mentorship, the world’s talent pipeline is at risk. And this is about quality work that fosters dignity. I sometimes hear from my former students that there are programs for young graduates, but the salary is exploitative. As the ILO explains, “structural transformation of economies [are] happening at a slow pace, returns to education have decreased slightly since the start of the millennium.”

Employers, it’s time to step up. If your business isn’t creating pathways for youth through (well paid!) mentorship or apprenticeship programs, you’re leaving untapped energy, ideas, and innovation on the table. More importantly, you’re jeopardizing the long-term health of your workforce—and the world. We need to train and empower the next generation to ensure they’re ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow. This is a goal easily addressed in the year ahead. Let’s make youth employment goals for 2025!

Other Opportunities That Spark Optimism

1. Cool Tech Beyond AI. Sure, AI is grabbing headlines, but don’t overlook spatial computing and advances in audio tech. Spatial computing promises to transform how we interact with the digital world (once we move past clunky goggles). Meanwhile, audio innovation—think "voice keepsakes" or hyper-realistic sound experiences—is poised to change how we capture memories and communicate with each other in digitally connected economies.
2. #Robotics on the Rise Humanoid robots are no longer sci-fi. Companies like Figure are producing robots that may soon be your colleagues, event staff, or even party guests. Expect to see robotics take a giant leap in 2025, both in function and form.

1. #Nuclear Energy and Battery Breakthroughs Non-fossil fuel #energy is gearing up to power the AI era. Investments in nuclear energy by Google, Meta, ?and others signal a major shift. Batteries are critical to stabilizing renewables as an alternative to nuclear power. A significant challenge remains on how to store and even recycle toxic spent fuel rods. Keep an eye on new startups tackling this issue—it’s a field ripe for innovation as cash flows into the space from a new investor ... wealthy AI tech firms. Commitments to sustainable development require us to manage energy consumption very carefully as we move forward with AI.

4.???? Agentic AI Revolution IF we can get employees to understand how Ai works (that’s a big IF) then there are huge gains to be made from AI systems capable of autonomous, goal-oriented actions in 2025. From supply chains rerouting in real-time to hyper-personalized education and healthcare, Agentic AI will act as proactive collaborators. However, businesses must navigate ethical concerns, governance, and the challenge of building trust as this transformative technology evolves. But that is a big IF.

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Challenges We’ll Keep Wrestling With in 2025

It is not all optimism, however.

1. Adoption Latency of AI-Enabled Platforms The AI revolution is here, but for many, it’s out of reach. Poor infrastructure, interrupted systems, and a lack of resources leave huge swaths of people behind. Even in well-connected workplaces, cultural barriers persist—fear of change, inadequate employer support, and a general lack of know-how are limiting potential benefits and causing uneven AI literacy within firms. There is also growing literature about a deliberate "analogue privilege" where those who can, are opting out of AI adoption (as the auhtor explains, this is like ordering off the menu in a restaurant). The divide between early adopters/laggards and those who are embracing change will grow, and we’ll start to see clear winners and losers.
2. Low Trust in Institutions Globally, faith in governments, regulators, and international bodies is eroding. In some countries, the same can be said about individual employers. This makes it incredibly hard to govern the rapid rise of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies. As the pace of innovation accelerates, we’re stuck in regulatory limbo—a challenge we can't ignore in 2025. Engaging in convening will help. Follow, support, and learn with global governance bodies. BRICS is one to watch!
3. Disruption from Conflict and Climate Unfortunately, the dual crises of geopolitical instability and climate disasters show no signs of abating. More people will be displaced, more ecosystems destroyed. This isn’t just a humanitarian crisis; it’s an economic one, with ripple effects across education and the workplace. Despite this, innovative solutions like mobile healthcare units and community empowerment projects offer hope for resilience and recovery. I am obviously a techno-optimist, but I believe technological advancement will provide some pathways for addressing these dual vulnerabilities. Nonetheless, a key warning for leadership – avoid trading climate justice initiatives for AI advancements. We need to pursue both.

What trends are you seeing in your world? Let’s compare notes.

#FutureOfWork #AI #YouthEmpowerment #FutureofEducation #2025Trends #AgenticAI

#SDG8 #Nuclear #Sustainability #HappyNewYear #Robotics #SpatialComputing

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