Creeping change in the speed of light

Why true infrastructure starts within us

The debate about artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly reaching a state of collective hyperventilation. A frequently asked and fascinating question is whether AI will one day develop its own consciousness. Companies such as Anthropic, developers of the Claude chatbot, are already employing researchers to investigate the “model well‑being” of their systems and to estimate the probability of future awareness — they mention 15% here. This discussion, as exciting as it is, easily distracts from the significant, already noticeable effects of AI on our everyday lives. While we puzzle over whether machines have a “soul,” the world is changing at a breath-taking pace — “creeping at the speed of light”: Technology is racing, but social perception and strategic action are lagging behind.

Shifting job profiles and skills: The age of psychological competencies

One of the most profound consequences of using AI is the change in professional profiles and skill requirements. Generative models can partially or completely take over tasks in many sectors; in the creative industries, it is estimated that up to 50% of all tasks can potentially be automated. Ajit Singh estimates the loss per additional automation percentage at 15,000 digits on average — but precise definitions of him unfortunately remain vague.

The World Economic Forum's “Future of Jobs Report 2025” shows that a good 39% of core competencies will change by 2030. While technological skills such as “AI and big data” are gaining in importance the fastest, over 60% of employers expect a growing need for skills traditionally attributed to the human “soul”: resilience, creativity, self-confidence, leadership, empathy, active listening. These inner qualities arise from self-perception, memory, imagination and self-control — they cannot simply be automated.

In addition, the report predicts a comprehensive structural shift in the labor market: Around 22% of today's jobs will be characterized by macroeconomic transformation by 2030. In total, this is expected to create 170 million new jobs (around 14% of current employment), while at the same time moving or losing 92 million jobs (8%). The bottom line is a net increase of 78 million jobs — almost 7% more employment than today.

Conflict of perception and pressure to act

Despite clear data, there is a conflict of perception: Where the greatest risk of automation is objectively imminent, it is often underestimated — and vice versa. The statistical relationship between perceived threat and actual risk is weak. This makes targeted strategies difficult and often leaves the most vulnerable groups unprotected.

Decisions about investments, qualification and regulation that are made today shape tomorrow's results. Without appropriate decision-making frameworks, incentive structures and rules, there is a risk that technology will primarily accelerate the replacement of human labor, deepen inequality and increase unemployment.

Changing business models and making meaningful use of the workforce

Companies around the world react differently. In Israel, 80% of companies are planning a strategic realignment to take advantage of AI‑supported opportunities. Globally, employers rely primarily on retraining and continuing education (77%), new hires to develop AI-based tools (69%), and talent who can work effectively with AI (62%).

But productivity gains are not self-evident. A study by the University of Lausanne shows that many employees — even managers — neither notice nor use the time saved by AI in a targeted manner. Conscious, continuous processes are needed to channel freed up capacities into value-creating, creative or personal activities.

At the heart of transformation: People

If work is based more on psychological competencies in the future, it is not enough just to talk about “skills.” The mental conditions that make these abilities possible in the first place are decisive. The model of internal economy describes the mind as a dynamic resource system: emotions and memories act like economic goods in it. Anyone who is mentally overloaded has no capacity for innovation, self-regulation or empathy.

Companies that want to remain fit for the future must therefore have a “mental infrastructure” create — spaces for self-reflection, collective memory and emotional regulation. People in the most affected sectors in particular need not only continuing technical training, but also psychological support to actively shape the transformation.

outlook

The question of AI awareness remains fascinating, but it is not the most urgent. The already noticeable and accelerating changes in the world of work are much more relevant. The shift towards psychologically influenced core competencies, the need for strategic answers to job shifts, and the challenge of making good use of productivity gains require immediate attention.

It may not be too late yet, but the clock is ticking. A new political and corporate reality is needed to shape a future in which technology serves people — not the other way around.

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sources:

Engeler, I. et al. (2024). What Do You Do with the Time Saved by Generative AI Tools? Many Waste It, Managers Included. Working paper.

Professor Dr. Dr. Oliver Hoffmann. (2024). The future of work is psychological — and hardly anyone talks about it. LinkedIn post.

‍O'Donnell, J. (2025, April 28). The Algorithm.

Schmidt, H. (date unknown). AI: threat to the labor market is underestimated. faz.net (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung). https://www.faz.net/pro/digitalwirtschaft/kuenstliche-intelligenz/ki-bedrohung-fuer-den-arbeitsmarkt-wird-unterschaetzt-110431298.html.

Singh, A. (2024/2025). Generative AI: Superintelligence with Unparalleled Opportunities and Harrowing Risks. SSRN (Social Science Research Network). https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5208276).

The New York Times. (2025, April 24). The A.I. Conscience: Will Future A.I. Systems Need Human Rights?. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/technology/ai-welfare-anthropic-claude.html

‍World Economic Forum. (2025, January). Future of Jobs Report 2025. World Economic Forum. ISBN: 978-2-940631-90-2. https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/