Kenya's Special Envoy Warns of AI-Driven Job Displacement by 2030

• Kenya's Special Envoy on Technology forecasts a net gain of 78 million jobs globally by 2030 due to AI adoption.
• 170 million jobs could be created worldwide, while about 92 million may be lost due to AI-driven transformations in workplaces.
• Professionals who fail to integrate AI into their daily work risk being displaced from their roles.
• Education and reskilling/upskilling are crucial for adapting to an AI-driven economy.

The issue I always tell folks is, where will you be? In the net loss, or the net gain?

Kenya's Special Envoy on Technology, Phillip Thigo, has issued a stark warning about the impact of artificial intelligence on employment. Speaking during an interview, he emphasized that job displacement is not unique to AI and that professionals who fail to integrate AI into their daily work may be at risk of being displaced from their roles. This warning is consistent with findings from the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, which projects a net gain of 78 million jobs globally by 2030 despite the expected displacement of millions of workers. The report identifies AI and information-processing technologies as key drivers of both job creation and displacement.

While the prospect of job displacement may seem daunting, Thigo's forecast also suggests a significant net gain in jobs. According to his estimates, 170 million jobs could be created globally by 2030, while about 92 million could be lost due to AI-driven transformations in workplaces. This means that Kenya, as a country with a growing tech sector, may see a substantial increase in job opportunities. However, this also raises concerns about the need for professionals to adapt and integrate AI into their work to remain relevant.

Thigo has emphasized the importance of education in preparing both current workers and young people entering the labour market for an economy where AI will increasingly be part of different professions. He advocates for reskilling and upskilling existing professionals, as well as ensuring that teachers and learners are equipped to work alongside AI systems. This includes training individuals on how to augment artificial intelligence with human expertise, rather than simply replacing humans with machines.

Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware that the increasing adoption of AI in workplaces may lead to a net gain of jobs, but also poses significant challenges for professionals who fail to integrate AI into their daily work, potentially displacing them from their roles.

Source: Original reporting via Capital FM