Will Your Office Skills Still Be Fashionable in 2030?

According to a 2018 World Economic Forum report, 70% of the skills used in jobs at that time were expected to change by 2030. Even though the stat is dated, I could make a pretty strong argument that it’s potentially conservative. Think of all the technology advancements in the last 7 years and we still got 5 more years to go. 2030’s not that far away, but it’s almost hard to imagine what jobs will look like then. Since it’s hard to predict the future, let’s take a quick look at the past.

In the 1980s, computers were not a workplace necessity. They were a curiosity. Most office workers still relied on typewriters and paper records. However, a few early adopters who learned DOS commands, spreadsheets, and digital word processing, gained a serious edge. They weren't just efficient. They became irreplaceable.

By the late 90’s being good with computers wasn’t a unique skill, it was an expectation. The professionals who resisted the shift were at a serious disadvantage.

It was the same deal with the internet. In the mid 90s, having a website was a novelty. Businesses that took the web seriously by investing in e-commerce and digital marketing saw massive rewards. Early adopters like Amazon, eBay and Netflix built empires while others dismissed the internet as a passing trend until it wasn’t.

By the 2000s, a basic online presence was no longer a competitive advantage. It was the bare minimum. The window for massive early mover success had closed.

This same opportunity repeats every time there’s a dramatic tech advancement. The pattern is clear. Every tech revolution starts with a rare skill that becomes mainstream. By the time everyone catches on, the biggest opportunities are gone.

Right now, we are standing at the beginning of the next shift, artificial intelligence. AI tools are reshaping industries, but most professionals have not adapted yet.

Companies are paying a premium for AI expertise, just like they once did for computer skills in the 80s or web development in the 90s. However, this will not last forever. As AI becomes more widespread, those who waited will find themselves scrambling to keep up, just like before.

The good news is, it’s not too late. Even though AI is starting to saturate every business conversation, the reality is it’s more talk than actualized transformation.

So now is your chance. And despite the fear and apprehension of so many people I meet with, the first steps in your AI learning journey don't have to be overwhelming.

Here’s three tips to get you going:

1. Start Small – Identify one repetitive task in your work that AI could handle for you. Whether it is summarizing emails, automating data entry, or generating reports, find an area where AI can save you time.

2. Experiment and Learn – Try out AI tools specific to your industry. Test how they can improve your workflow or enhance decision making. The more you play with AI, the more confident you will become.

3. Apply AI Strategically – Don’t just use AI for the sake of it. AI is like a free personal assistant. Use it to make you look good and to boost your perceived value.

If you are on the fence, just look to history and decide: do you want to prep now to be indispensable by 2030?