­­AI’s impact on employment

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming labour markets, jobs, and skills. Cedefop’s 2024 AI skills survey reveals that over a quarter of European workers are already using AI at work, with 60% facing AI-driven task changes. This highlights the urgent need for upskilling, reskilling, and AI literacy to support a human-centered AI revolution and boost Europe’s competitiveness.

Who drives the EU’s global competitiveness

According to Cedefop’s 2024 AI skills survey, the AI developer workforce consists of workers who already have technical knowledge and skills related to AI system development and maintenance. These skills are mainly used in statistics, computer and data science, machine or deep learning. In advanced economies, the share of workers who apply advanced AI methods is less than 0,5-1% of total employment. This small group plays a crucial role for the EU. Most importantly, it drives the EU’s competition with other global players in the AI talent race. Cedefop’s survey highlights that based on AI-related job advertisements, the demand for AI developers in advanced economies is growing rapidly.

Current AI developer workforce

Based on the survey, the current AI developer workforce is dominated by men and younger graduates with tertiary education. Most hold degrees in engineering, computer science, mathematics, or statistics, with a growing number also coming from business studies backgrounds.

Key issues

The survey points out a crucial issue which is the geographical AI divide in Europe. While AI use is more common in Western European countries, it is significantly less prevalent in Southern and Eastern Europe. According to the survey, 49% of respondents in Belgium use AI tools in their jobs, compared to 31% in Poland, while Spain had the lowest usage rate at 26%.

Another critical issue concerns routine jobs. As it was observed during the first AI technology wave, many routine jobs were affected by the introduction of robotic process automation and machine learning. In this case, there is a need to raise awareness for upskilling and re-skilling of workers who are directly impacted by AI, and to offer support along with social protection measures.

AI’s role in enhancing task efficiency

In addition to revealing the potential for machines to replace certain tasks or jobs, Cedefop’s survey also highlights AI’s role in enhancing task efficiency. Among European workers using AI at work, 67% reported that it helped them perform tasks more quickly. For 41%, AI led to taking on new or different tasks, while 30% said that AI had fully replaced some of their job tasks. Sectors with high risk of task displacement due to AI include agriculture, administrative and support services, financial and insurance activities, utilities, wholesale and retail trade, and manufacturing.

What do experts say about the AI revolution

Experts claim that the AI revolution is not expected to lead to massive job losses. While some shifts in employment are anticipated, the encouraging news is that, across most sectors of the European labour market, AI is more likely to reshape jobs than replace them. Rather than eliminating roles, AI will transform the tasks involved and the skills required—enabling human workers to focus on higher-value activities and adapt to evolving technological landscapes.

What it means for the EU’s workforce

Cedefop’s AI skills survey highlights the need to prioritise AI education in adult learning and continuing vocational training, as AI literacy among Europe’s workforce remains low. Between 40% and 60% of surveyed adult workers have a limited understanding of what AI is, how it functions, and its potential societal impacts.

In this sense, vocational education and training initiatives should be tailored to address gender and age disparities in AI use, as female and older workers are less likely to engage with AI in the workplace. While highly qualified employees are more likely to use AI on the job, they too require access to AI-related training. The need for AI upskilling extends across all education levels.

Business and AI technology

According to Cedefop’s survey, many larger companies are already harnessing AI technologies to stay competitive and drive innovation across both production and service processes. Yet, the path to AI adoption is not without obstacles. Organisations often face challenges such as evaluating costs versus benefits, navigating legal and ethical complexities, and building trust, transparency, and leadership capacity. A smooth and successful AI transition depends on cultivating an ethical workplace and a culture that encourages continuous learning and experimentation.

This is exactly where the ARISA project steps in by equipping organisations and individuals with the skills and tools needed to make AI adoption not just possible, but sustainable, responsible, and beneficial for all.

Sources:

Cedefop. (2025). Skills empower workers in the AI revolution first findings from Cedefop’s AI skills survey. Publication Office of the European Union. Policy brief. DOI:10.2801/6372704. https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/publications/9201