PwC Says AI Splits Job Market in 2 as Professionalized Roles Double Growth
Updated
Updated · Global News · Jun 15
PwC Says AI Splits Job Market in 2 as Professionalized Roles Double Growth
3 articles · Updated · Global News · Jun 15
Summary
PwC’s Global AI Jobs Barometer, based on more than 1 billion job ads across six continents, says AI is creating a two-track labor market rather than lifting all roles equally.
Professionalized jobs—where AI automates routine work but raises the value of human judgment—posted twice the job growth of democratized roles and delivered 42% faster pay growth.
U.S. data in the report show AI-exposed entry-level roles are 7 times more likely to demand senior-type tasks such as leadership, creativity and face-to-face interaction.
Some experts cautioned the split will vary by sector, noting AI can also boost lower-skilled workers in settings like call centers while favoring experienced workers in science and other fields.
The findings add to wider concern that AI is reshaping early-career hiring, even as the long-term winners remain uncertain and workers are urged to build AI fluency, communication skills and judgment.
How will future leaders be trained if AI automates the entry-level tasks where careers have traditionally begun?
Is AI creating a two-tier workforce, permanently separating high-skill 'super-stars' from everyone else?
As AI demands senior skills for junior pay, is the traditional career ladder now a dead end?
PwC 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer: 40% Productivity Growth, 120 Million Workers Displaced, and the Seniorisation of Entry-Level Roles
Overview
As of June 2026, the global workforce is being transformed by the rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence. This shift is fundamentally reshaping job roles and creating new labor market dynamics, with a clear demand for evolving skill sets. AI-exposed sectors like technology, media, and telecommunications are seeing strong job growth, while professional services and health are also affected. Entry-level jobs are changing significantly, pushing companies to overhaul training programs to help young workers adapt. Overall, the nature of work is evolving, and organizations must focus on developing both AI-related and human-centric skills to succeed in this new reality.