Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, announces the findings from the “Future of Jobs 2025” report. Chulalongkorn University is the only partner institution in Thailand collaboration with the World Economic Forum to propose a roadmap for coping with changes in the labour market over the 2025–2030 period.
The report is based on a comprehensive survey of 1,000 employers, covering 14 million workers across 22 industries and 55 economies globally. The findings show that:
- 170 million new jobs are expected to emerge, driven by technological change and the green transition.
- 92 million jobs are predicted to disappear due to automation and economic transformations.
- A net employment growth of 7%, equivalent to 78 million jobs globally.
Major Drivers of Change by 2030
The order of priority is as follows:
- Technological Change: AI, robotics, and energy innovations are key drivers, transforming job roles and skill demands.
- Economic Uncertainty: Rising living costs and economic slowdowns pose challenges.
- Green Transition: Climate mitigation and adaptation spur demand for environmental engineers and renewable energy specialists.
- Demographic Shifts: Aging populations in high-income countries and workforce expansions in low-income regions reshape labour dynamics.
- Geo-economic Fragmentation: Trade restrictions and geopolitical tensions influence business models.
Skills of the Future: Thailand vs Global
By 2030, two-fifths of existing skills will transform. The top skills for Thailand reflect a unique focus on AI and big data, analytical thinking, creative thinking, and networks and cybersecurity. Globally, AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity, technological literacy, and creative thinking take precedence.
Top 5 Workforce Strategies for Thailand
- Upskilling workforce: Prepare Thai people with knowledge and skills that meet the needs of the labour market.
- Hire staff with new skills to meet emerging business needs: Find and support potential people with skills that meet the needs of the modern economy.
- Accelerate the automation of processes and tasks: Use automation to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
- Transition existing staff from declining to growing roles: Giving people added value in modern work.
- Complement and augment your workforce with new technologies: Linking cutting-edge technologies to create innovations that add value and competitiveness.
Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat also stated “Chulalongkorn University has become ‘The University of AI’, creating “Future Humans” who are not only experts in the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) but also possess unique skills such as II (Instinctual Intelligence). The important thing is that the ‘new generation’ must not only have a smart brain but also a good heart, transforming technological abilities into a force that creates value for both themselves and society.”
He stated that Thailand is still in the early stages of AI development, focusing on reskilling and upskilling to prepare the workforce for future jobs that require a diverse set of skills. “The only way to surpass artificial intelligence is through instinct, understanding of the world, and mastery through practice,” Dr. Wilert said.
Dr. Wilert added that universities must shift away from traditional 2-4 year degree programs and instead offer short, 6-month courses that focus on creating “skill incubators” to develop essential skills for the future. These programs must be flexible, adapting to technology and meeting the demands of the job market.
“Education should not only transmit knowledge but also apply that knowledge to society,” he said. “To prepare for the future, we must create an environment where people, even those with existing degrees, can continue to develop their skills in just six months.”
