Experts tell job seekers how to prepare for AI changes at work

In short: Experts say AI will change what many people do at work, so job seekers should build strong people skills, learn basic AI and digital tools, and plan to retrain often.

What's going on

Panels and research groups are giving similar advice about the future of work. Their main message is that AI will usually change parts of a job, not wipe out the whole job. A 2026 panel at Stanford said AI is already showing up in many industries and is shifting daily tasks and productivity.

Goldman Sachs Research estimates that if today’s AI uses spread widely, about 6 to 7 percent of the U.S. workforce could be displaced. Even so, they expect the overall effect on employment to be modest and temporary. They also project that as AI is fully adopted, it could raise worker productivity by about 15 percent in advanced economies, with a small, temporary rise in unemployment during the transition.

For individuals, the advice is practical. Build “durable” human skills like problem solving, teamwork, and clear communication, since these are harder to automate. Strengthen digital and AI literacy, meaning you can use common software and AI tools safely and effectively (like using a calculator, but for writing, research, or data). Experts also recommend treating learning as ongoing, more like regular maintenance on a car than a one time tune up.

What to watch

More hiring may shift toward skills based screening, where proof of ability matters as much as a degree. Job seekers can prepare by tracking skills in job ads, building a small portfolio of projects, and learning to use AI tools for tasks like resume drafts and interview practice, while double checking outputs for mistakes.

Source: NYTimes