Artificial intelligence is accelerating long-term shifts in the global labour market. Automation is reshaping existing roles while creating new tasks and occupations that demand different skill sets. Recent labour market data shows that demand for new skills is rising across both advanced and emerging economies, with professional, technical, and managerial roles most affected. Information technology dominates this shift, but sector-specific skills are also growing in importance, particularly in healthcare, education, marketing, and digital public services.

Across BRICS countries, AI adoption is advancing rapidly. China has embedded AI into manufacturing, logistics, and state administration. India is integrating AI into digital services, multilingual communication, and governance platforms. Brazil, South Africa, and Russia are applying AI to healthcare delivery, public administration, and infrastructure management. In each case, technology alone is not decisive workforce readiness is the critical factor.

Wages Rise, Jobs Become Uneven

Workers who acquire new or hybrid skills tend to earn higher wages, generating positive spillover effects for local economies. Increased earnings boost consumption, which in turn supports job creation in related sectors. However, these benefits are unevenly distributed. High-skill workers gain from advanced roles, while low-skill service jobs often remain resilient. Middle-skill occupations, especially routine office and clerical roles, face the greatest pressure from automation.

AI-specific skills add another layer of complexity. While they command wage premiums, they have not yet driven broad employment growth. Regions with high demand for AI skills often see lower employment in AI-exposed occupations, particularly affecting young workers and entry-level roles. This raises concerns about career pathways, social mobility, and long-term inclusion in AI-driven economies.

Skills Gaps and Policy Choices

The impact of AI on work is not predetermined. Countries differ widely in their ability to supply the skills demanded by new technologies. Some economies experience strong demand for emerging skills but lack trained workers, while others possess talent that remains underutilised due to weak innovation ecosystems or limited business absorption capacity.

For BRICS and other emerging economies, policy responses must be comprehensive. Education systems need to emphasise cognitive, creative, and problem-solving skills that complement AI rather than compete with it. Lifelong learning, reskilling, and mobility support are essential to help workers adapt as tasks evolve. Social protection systems must also be strengthened to support workers through transitions and prevent long-term exclusion from the labour market.

The Case for BRICS Cooperation

BRICS countries face shared structural challenges: large and diverse populations, multilingual societies, pressure on healthcare and education systems, and uneven regional development. These common conditions create strong incentives for cooperation on AI skills development, ethical standards, and workforce transition policies.

While competition will continue in commercial AI applications, cooperation on foundational issues; such as training frameworks, governance principles, and public-sector use cases; can reduce risks and costs for all members. If aligned with inclusive labour policies, AI can become a strategic tool for strengthening the Global South, reducing inequality, and supporting a more balanced multipolar economy.

Written By: 

*Cole Jackson

Lead Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group

Chinese & South America Specialist

**The Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Independent Media or IOL.

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