Hoteit says the future workforce needs to work with AI and understand big data. “And we’re still far from achieving that,” she warned.
Some of the more promising corners of the global economy include care-based jobs, including roles intended to help support mental health, or assist underserved social groups. Another area of promise is regenerative agriculture and infrastructure that uses new processes and materials to support more sustainable farming and construction.
“You can see that there’s so much labor abundance,” said Hoteit. “It is our job to prepare our youth to be able to shape these sectors, to be the early adopters of the emerging skills.” Those skills, she said, include communication and the ability to command AI, robotics, and other technologies; also crucial are capabilities like mindfulness, optimism, and decisiveness.
To better prepare for the future of work, Hoteit argues, education systems need to be reformed, and people must embrace a lifelong commitment to learning. “We need to prioritize tech literacy,” she said, adding that children should be encouraged to play with robots, experiment with AI, and learn in the metaverse.
Corporate entities, alongside governments and nonprofits, should in her view collaborate to create associations that can invest in mentorship, upskilling, and reskilling programs. The approach must vary and be tailored for each local region’s population, said Hoteit.
“Imagine the possibility if every young person was either building a venture or solving one of our toughest problems, like water scarcity, where would the world be?” she said. “What we need to do is to ensure that we provide them the space, the skills, and the tools to reach their full potential.”
