Contrary to early forecasts that predicted artificial intelligence would first displace high-skilled white-collar professions, fresh employment data reveals an unexpected twist: managerial, engineering, scientific, and legal roles are expanding, while clerical and customer-service positions are contracting sharply. The analysis, conducted by economist Gad Levanon using two years of US government labour data, found that jobs once labelled high-risk—such as management and law—have continued to grow, and in some cases accelerated. Meanwhile, roles like records clerks, bookkeepers, and customer-service staff, previously considered less vulnerable, are shrinking rapidly, even within sectors where managerial headcount is rising.

The divergence stems from a fundamental distinction between tasks and responsibilities. Rudy DeFelice, executive vice-president and global head of AI strategy at Harbor Global, notes that while AI can automate many professional tasks, it cannot assume the accompanying accountability. Sheldon Arora, CEO of StaffDNA, adds that clerical work, built on standardised, rule-based processes, is relatively easy to automate fully, whereas companies will not replace an entire managerial profession just because AI can handle a fraction of the workload. This structural shift is reshaping how organisations allocate human resources, with AI absorbing routine administrative functions while human judgment remains essential for roles that carry decision-making responsibility.

The transformation is boosting productivity across knowledge work. The Stanford AI Index reports that generative AI is accelerating tasks such as report writing, data analysis, and software development, though it stresses that outputs still require human verification for high-accuracy work. In digital marketing, AI now generates content, analyses customer data, and recommends strategies, but successful campaigns still depend on human creativity, empathy, and trust-building, according to industry practitioners. Deloitte’s technology and transformation lead for Ghana, Roland Baah Teye, told the Ghana AI Summit that AI will automate repetitive tasks while creating demand for new skills in data analysis, AI governance, and human-AI collaboration, and that the future of work belongs to those who can use AI responsibly to enhance their profession.

Despite efficiency gains, the promise of reduced working hours remains elusive. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently argued that superintelligence will not lead to more leisure; instead, he believes humans’ innate drive to create and compete will keep them busier than ever. This view contrasts with predictions from other industry figures, such as former Endeavour CEO Ari Emanuel, who forecast a three-day work week, but Altman’s stance underscores a broader uncertainty about whether productivity gains will translate into lighter workloads or simply higher output expectations.

Governments are beginning to respond with long-term planning. Ghana’s Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation is working with UN partners to develop a national AI framework with clear annual milestones over the next decade, aiming to monitor the technology’s impact on growth and employment. As AI’s role in the labour market deepens, the focus is shifting from whether jobs will disappear to how the nature of work itself is being redefined.