How artificial intelligence is reshaping work and skills in BRICS countries

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant conceptit is transforming the way people work across the globe. From automating routine tasks to creating entirely new job categories, AI is reshaping the skills employers need and the career pathways workers can pursue.

Recent labour market data shows that professional, technical, and managerial roles are the most affected, with information technology leading the charge. Yet AI’s influence extends beyond tech, touching healthcare, education, marketing, and public digital services, where sector-specific skills are increasingly in demand.

AI adoption across BRICS

The BRICS nationsBrazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africaillustrate the diversity of AI’s integration.

• China has embedded AI into manufacturing, logistics, and state administration, creating efficiencies but demanding higher-skilled labor.

• India focuses on digital services, multilingual communication, and governance platforms, where AI supports both citizens and businesses.

• Brazil, South Africa, and Russia are leveraging AI in healthcare, public administration, and infrastructure management, showing that technology adoption alone is not enoughworkforce readiness is key.

In all cases, success hinges on human skills. AI may automate tasks, but the value of a prepared, adaptable workforce cannot be overstated.

Wages, jobs, and inequality

Workers with AI-related skills often command higher wages, boosting local economies as increased spending circulates through other sectors. However, these benefits are uneven.

• High-skill workers in AI-intensive roles enjoy income growth and career advancement.

• Middle-skill workers, particularly in routine office and clerical positions, face the greatest threat from automation.

• Low-skill service jobs tend to be more resilient but offer fewer opportunities for advancement.

AI-specific skills bring wage premiums but have yet to generate broad employment growth. This creates challenges for young workers and entry-level roles, raising concerns about long-term social mobility and inclusion in AI-driven economies.

Bridging skills gaps through policy

The impact of AI on the workforce is shaped by policy choices. Countries differ in their ability to provide the skills demanded by new technologies. Some have strong demand but a shortage of trained workers, while others have talent that remains underutilized due to weak innovation systems.

Policy responses need to be comprehensive:

• Education systems must emphasize creative, cognitive, and problem-solving skills that complement AI rather than compete with it.

• Lifelong learning and reskilling programs are essential to help workers adapt to evolving roles.

• Social protection systems must support workers during transitions to prevent long-term exclusion.

A case for BRICS cooperation

BRICS countries share structural challenges: large, diverse populations, multilingual societies, uneven regional development, and pressure on public services. These common factors create opportunities for collaboration in AI skills development, workforce transition policies, and ethical standards for AI use.

While commercial competition will continue, cooperation on foundational frameworkstraining programs, governance principles, and public-sector applicationscan reduce costs and risks for all members. Aligned with inclusive labour policies, AI could become a powerful tool for reducing inequality, strengthening the Global South, and supporting a more balanced global economy.

The AI revolution in work is not predetermined. Its success depends on proactive investment in human capital, thoughtful policy design, and regional cooperation. For BRICS countries, the challenge is clear: equip workers with the skills of tomorrow while ensuring no one is left behind in an AI-driven labour market.

Artificial intelligence may be reshaping jobs, but the story of the future will be written by the people who adapt, innovate, and steer technology toward inclusive growth.

{Source: IOL}

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