Jobs at risk and new professions of the future

According to SAIO experts, the development of AI and automation will have the greatest impact on office jobs where data collection and analysis or document processing have traditionally been the domain of humans.

“Generative AI can already generate content, analyze data, and support business decision-making. As a result, jobs such as finance specialists, analysts, lawyers, or programmers will soon undergo even more significant changes. AI can take over tedious tasks, allowing employees to focus on the more strategic aspects of their work,” says Jacek Tochowicz, Principal Expert at SAIO.

At the same time, according to SAIO, automation is opening the door to new professions. They point out that in the future the labor market will need, among others, AI ethics specialists who ensure the integrity of decisions made by algorithms, as well as experts in legal regulations related to technology, such as the AI Act, or in data processing and storage in the context of artificial intelligence. The technological, ethical, and regulatory frameworks surrounding AI represent a growing job market that is only just emerging. According to SAIO, demand will also rise for AI engineers, data analysts, and IT infrastructure management specialists.

Additionally, according to analyses by leading research firm Everest Group, the largest adoption of generative AI today is seen in customer service, IT, sales, and marketing departments. In the context of implementing so-called Agentic AI—systems capable of making decisions independently—the departments most prone to transformation will include HR, finance and accounting, as well as research and analytics. This will create demand for entirely new roles, such as designers and supervisors of agent systems, experts in data security generated by AI, and integrators of AI solutions with operational processes.

AI’s impact on specific company departments and employee skills

According to Everest Group and SAIO specialists, the most advanced use of generative AI is currently in customer service departments (32%) and IT operations (30%), followed by sales and marketing (18%). These applications include automating customer contact after completed interactions, customer self-service, content generation, personalized marketing content, and knowledge and information management in customer service. After pilot implementations, these are now entering production phases.

The transformation also affects areas such as:

• finance and accounting (financial reporting, cash flow forecasting),
• risk management (compliance, fraud detection),
• HR (recruitment, personalized development paths),
• IT (incident management, technical support),
• supply chain (planning, transport management).

Data from the ING and European Economic Congress report* show that Poland still struggles with a lack of investment in digitization and automation, which is one of the main barriers to economic growth. In 2023, the investment rate in Poland was only 17.8% of GDP, compared to the EU average of 22.2% and as high as 27% in the Czech Republic. Companies operating in Poland point to regulatory instability and high financing costs as the main barriers to investing in automation.

SAIO experts emphasize that the future belongs to those who can combine technological skills with business thinking. As a result, the importance of competencies such as:

• the ability to work in interdisciplinary teams,
• managing automation systems and data analysis,
• continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies,
• project and change management,
• knowledge of regulations related to digitization and compliance.

Education is the key to adapting to changes in the job market

According to SAIO experts, education must also evolve to meet future challenges. In Poland, degree programs are already emerging that combine business and technological skills, such as “Financial Analyst 2.0” at the University of Economics in Katowice. Equally important is cooperation between universities and business, which allows students to gain practical skills in working with AI and automation.

ING data show that as many as 65% of companies in Poland plan to increase investment in digital training in the coming years, and 40% of large enterprises have already introduced mandatory AI courses for their employees. At the same time, 58% of business leaders believe that Poland’s education system is failing to keep up with technological changes, which may lead to a skills gap in the labor market.

“It’s not about replacing people with machines, but about freeing them from repetitive tasks. This way, employees can focus on more crucial activities and topics,” says Przemysław Lewicki, CEO of SAIO. “Companies that invest in automation often simultaneously introduce reskilling programs, enabling employees to acquire new skills and increase their value in the job market,” Lewicki adds.

* ING and European Economic Congress report: “Investments in Poland through the eyes of business. Regression and hopes.”