“Artificial intelligence and employment: threat or opportunity?” This is the question that will resonate in boardrooms, universities, and public forums in 2025.

This article will guide you through that question with a summary, risk and opportunity analysis, examples, a key statistic, and a final section of frequently asked questions.

Summary

First, you will explore how the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the world of work.

Next, we will examine the factors that suggest a risk of displacement, but also those that allow us to see opportunities.

Next, we'll look at how the workforce and businesses should prepare to take advantage of the change.

Finally, we will draw conclusions and provide space for frequently asked questions.

Why the discussion about Artificial intelligence and employment:

Threat or opportunity? Is it urgent?

We are living through a decisive moment:

According to McKinsey & Company's 2025 global survey, 88% of organizations report regular use of AI in at least one business function, although only around 30% have scaled these projects extensively.

This demonstrates that AI is no longer a future speculation: it is present, and its integration into work poses both risks and new paths.

When we raise “Artificial intelligence and employment: threat or opportunity?”We do this recognizing that it is not black and white.

Not everything will disappear, nor will everything become a utopia.

A spectrum of scenarios opens up where the outcome will depend on decisions, policies, training, organizational design, and how individuals and companies respond.

The risks: Why could AI pose a threat to employment?

Displacement of repetitive tasks and roles

One of the most visible concerns is that AI will replace automated human tasks.

Goldman Sachs estimates that, if existing AI use cases were widely implemented, up to 2.5% of US jobs could be at risk of direct displacement.

For example: a customer service assistant who currently spends hours on repetitive tasks could be replaced by a system that answers basic queries, leaving the human only with complex cases.

It's an analogy: imagine a displacement like an iceberg: what you see above the water is the reduction of certain jobs, but underneath there are structural side effects.

Unequal impact on young people and recent graduates

A recent study based on data from ADP and Stanford University reveals that, between 2022 and July 2025, jobs with high exposure to AI for people aged 22 to 25 decreased by 6%.

This means that those newly entering the labor market could face a more hostile environment than those who already have experience.

Increased unemployment rate in highly exposed occupations

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, there is a correlation of 0.47 between occupational AI exposure and the increase in the unemployment rate between 2022-2025.

Therefore, those working in highly susceptible sectors (analysis, programming, accounting) should be on alert.

With all these factors, the threatening side of Artificial intelligence and employment: threat or opportunity? It cannot be ruled out. But it's not all negative.

Opportunities: How can AI open new paths in the world of work?

Improved productivity, job security, and wages for active users

A global survey by PwC in 2025 found that workers who used generative AI daily reported better productivity (92 % vs 58 %), greater job security (58 % vs 36 %) and better wages (52 % vs 32 %) compared to those who used AI infrequently.

In other words: when AI is integrated as a tool and not just as a replacement, it can empower the worker.

Creation of new roles and redesign of tasks

The same McKinsey study indicates that 32% of organizations anticipate a reduction in the workforce due to AI, but 13% expect an increase.

This means that AI also creates new demands: data specialists, AI system designers, ethical oversight roles, etc.

For example, a data analyst who learned to work with AI can become a model supervisor.

A logistics company can redesign processes and create automation coordinator positions.

Training and education as a lever for opportunity

The academic research “Complement or substitute?” indicates that the demand for skills that complement AI, such as digital literacy, creativity, and resilience, is growing faster than the demand for those skills that are being substituted.

Thus, see the question of Artificial intelligence and employment: threat or opportunity? It makes sense as an invitation to get trained.

Which keyword to use?

The key is to anticipate. Let's take the example of a Mexican company that invested in AI for customer service:

Instead of firing the team, he retrained them to handle complex cases and oversee the automated system.

Result: Agents went from handling 40 calls per day to 60, while their satisfaction index rose by 15 %.

This demonstrates that AI can free up time for humans to tackle higher-value tasks.

How to prepare for the crossroads of Artificial intelligence and employment: threat or opportunity?

1. Individual and organizational diagnosis

Identify how exposed your position or company is to automation.

For example, if your role involves highly repetitive, rule-based tasks, it may be at greater risk.

2. Develop complementary skills

It prioritizes learning about technology, critical thinking, creativity, adapting to change, and collaboration skills.

A professional who knows how to use AI as a tool will have an advantage.

3. Design hybrid human-machine roles

Smart companies are already reconfiguring tasks: AI does the tedious work, while humans focus on the strategic aspects.

To illustrate: in a hospital, an image analysis system assists the radiologist, who focuses on complex diagnosis and patient care.

4. Commit to continuous training

According to PwC, only 51% of non-managerial workers feel they have the necessary learning resources.

Therefore, if you are a professional, make updating a routine.

5. Consider responsible public policies and business practices.

The debate on regulation, ethics, and job transition is key. Responsible adoption of AI reduces the risk of structural unemployment and creates opportunities.

A relevant fact (statistic)

According to Goldman Sachs, unemployment could increase up to half a percentage point During the AI transition period, and if it were adopted massively, up to 6-7% of US employment could be affected.

This fact underlines that the impact is not zero either: it depends on the speed and the context.

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Specific examples

Example 1: An accounting office that incorporated AI to generate financial reports reduced report generation time from 4 hours to 1 hour.

Accountants have gone from simply generating reports to interpreting them, advising clients, and designing strategies.

Example 2: In a call center, AI handled simple inquiries; agents specialized in difficult cases and upselling.

Result: 12% increase in sales and 20% increase in customer satisfaction, with no layoffs.

These examples show that the scenario can tilt towards "opportunity" when managed well, but it is not guaranteed on its own.

So is it a threat or an opportunity?

The answer is: bothbut with a preference for the second if one acts with foresight.

The title Artificial intelligence and employment: threat or opportunity? It should be understood as a call to decide how to respond.

It is a threat if reality is ignored, one remains static and expects everything to stay the same.

It's an opportunity if you adapt, learn, redesign, and see AI as an ally, not an adversary.

The key is in the mindset: those who consider AI as "a replacement" are at risk.

Those who see it as "a tool that enhances humanity" have a competitive advantage.

Conclusion

In 2025, the question Artificial intelligence and employment: threat or opportunity? It does not allow a generic answer.

AI is already present in almost every sector, and its integration challenges certain roles while opening up unprecedented possibilities.

The challenge for you (and for the organization) is to move from concern to action:

Evaluate your presentation

Develops human and technological skills

Collaborates on hybrid work designs

Leverage AI as a tool, not a threat

Participate in the dialogue on public policy and corporate responsibility

Adopting this roadmap does not guarantee immunity, but it does increase the likelihood that change will become an opportunity rather than a threat.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Will AI destroy many jobs in Mexico?
There is no evidence of immediate “mass destruction”.

Studies show that adoption is gradual and that AI often leads to restructuring or a change of role rather than outright job elimination.

Q2. Which jobs are most at risk?

Occupations with routine, repetitive, and rule-based tasks: for example, data entry, basic customer service, standard accounting processing.

P3. And which jobs have the best opportunities?

Those who combine human skills (creativity, empathy, ethical judgment) with technology: analysts who use AI, automation strategists, experience designers, etc.

Also those who learn to collaborate with AI to add value.

Q4. How should I prepare if I'm lost in the change?

Start by identifying tasks in your job that could be automated, then acquire basic technological skills (such as using AI tools), and at the same time strengthen uniquely human skills:

Communication, strategic thinking, adaptation.

P5. What role do companies and governments play?

Both play critical roles. Companies must redesign work processes to integrate AI without leaving talent behind.

Governments must offer retraining policies and ethical frameworks. When responsibility is shared, opportunity grows.