Why the future of work is human + machine
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Will AI take your job or transform it?
It’s the question dominating boardrooms, classrooms, and dinner tables alike. The technology is advancing at breakneck speed, rules are struggling to keep up, and fear is spreading faster than facts.
In an earlier article, “Is Automation a Job Killer?” I explored these anxieties, but history, and the future, tell a more nuanced story: one where humans and machines are not rivals, but partners.
Today, that conversation is evolving. While automation has displaced certain roles, and still does, AI is ushering in a new era — not of replacement, but of collaboration between human judgment and machine intelligence.
Unlike traditional automation, where outcomes are predictable and based on fixed rules, AI introduces variability and adaptability. It is designed to augment human intelligence in dynamic ways. From drafting legal memos and summarizing medical records to optimizing building energy use and enhancing customer service, AI is transforming how we work, producing faster and more context-aware results than ever before.
A recent survey by the World Economic Forum shows that 75 percent of companies globally are expected to adopt AI technologies within the next five years, with nearly half already using them today. Yet these same companies anticipate a net increase in jobs, particularly in roles requiring critical thinking, creativity, and digital fluency. This signals a clear shift: AI isn’t replacing humans; it’s reshaping the skills needed to thrive in the modern workplace.
And for all its power, AI has clear limitations. It lacks nuance, ethics, and emotional intelligence. It cannot build trust, mentor colleagues, or invent new business models. These are uniquely human abilities, and they are becoming more — not less — valuable in the age of intelligent machines.
Even in highly digitized environments, AI acts as a recommender, not a decision-maker. Advanced systems might suggest changes to a building’s environmental settings or optimize a supply chain process. In my field — building management and automation — AI already powers smart, increasingly autonomous environments. Yet in critical or ethically sensitive scenarios, human judgment remains essential. AI can guide, predict, and recommend, but it must never replace human oversight where safety, values, or people are involved.
Ƶ is making its own deliberate moves to position itself at the forefront of AI-driven transformation. With the recent launch of “Humane,” a national AI company, the Kingdom has signaled its ambition to become a global hub for artificial intelligence. This aligns with Vision 2030’s broader push toward economic diversification, technology leadership, and knowledge-based industries. Major initiatives such as Neom are embedding AI into the very fabric of infrastructure, transport, energy, and services — redefining how cities are built and run.
The future of work will not belong to machines or humans alone, but to those who know how to think, decide, and create with AI at their side.
Khaled Almushare
Backing these efforts is the National Strategy for Data and AI, known as NSDAI, which aims to position Ƶ among the top 15 AI nations by 2030. The strategy, led by the Saudi Data and AI Authority, includes ambitious goals: training over 20,000 specialists in data and AI, attracting more than $20 billion in investments, fostering more than 300 startups, and weaving AI applications into sectors like education, healthcare, mobility, and public services. In a sign of growing confidence in its capabilities, Ƶ recently hosted the Global AI Summit, drawing participation from leading technology firms and global thought leaders.
Still, widespread adoption brings widespread anxiety. In a recent university lecture I delivered on AI and the job market, I conducted a live poll. Nearly 43 percent of students said they believe AI will negatively affect their future job prospects. This kind of uncertainty isn’t theoretical, it’s deeply personal, especially for young Saudis preparing to enter the workforce. A global study by BMG Research, involving 50,000 students, found that 50 percent believe automation and AI will harm their career prospects, underscoring the scale of the concern.
These fears demand a proactive response. We need to rethink how we educate, train, and upskill talent from an early age. That means integrating AI fluency into school and university curricula, forging stronger partnerships between academia and industry, and ensuring students have access to hands-on, project-based learning experiences in AI. For students and professionals alike, the message is clear: learn to work with AI, not fear it.
One practical example comes from within my own organization, where we’ve rolled out AI learning programs to help employees understand and apply the technology. This includes making Microsoft Copilot available to all staff and conducting multipart training sessions attended by hundreds of colleagues across functions and countries, from engineering, sales, and operations to marketing, legal, and others.
The goal is simple: empower teams to work smarter and more efficiently, using AI as a tool to amplify — not replace — their capabilities. For those just beginning their journey, platforms like Coursera, edX, Google’s AI for Everyone, and OpenAI’s learning hub offer free and accessible ways to build foundational knowledge and confidence.
AI will undoubtedly redefine many roles, but it will not render humans obsolete. On the contrary, the most successful professionals will be those who understand how to leverage AI as a collaborator using it to sharpen insight, not replace instinct. We’re not facing a man-versus-machine moment. We’re entering a human-plus-machine era. The future of work will not belong to machines or humans alone, but to those who know how to think, decide, and create with AI at their side.
• Khaled Almushare is chief marketing, innovation and information officer at Johnson Controls Arabia.
