A decade ago, across the GCC, a secure future typically meant working in the public sector, which offered fixed hours, benefits, pensions, and perhaps most importantly, protection from disruptions. 

However, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is now reshaping the career landscape in the region. What was once considered a “safe job” is being re-evaluated, as industries adapt to significant reinvention.

“Ten years ago, public sector jobs were regarded as the gold standard of stability,” says Ashish Koshy, CEO of Inception. “But in the AI era, that perception has shifted sharply. Governments are embracing automation and AI to improve efficiency — directly impacting routine public sector roles.”

AI IS COMING FOR THE BUREAUCRACY

It’s a structural shift. Starting in 2026, the UAE’s National Artificial Intelligence System will serve as an advisory member to the Cabinet, Ministerial Development Council, and all federal boards. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Government Enablement has committed $3.5 billion to building the world’s first fully AI-native government by 2027. About 33% of UAE organizations have appointed Chief AI Officers, outpacing the global average of 26%.

This rapid transformation means that even the public sector, which has traditionally been stable, now requires agility and upskilling.

“Stability today depends on adaptability, ongoing learning, and technological fluency,” Koshy says. “Employees can no longer rely on outdated skills or legacy processes. They must evolve quickly to stay resilient in this new environment.”

A REGION ON EDGE, BUT ALSO ON THE MOVE

The fear of being left behind is widespread. A recent UAE survey found that 55% of workers believe their jobs could be replaced by AI within the next decade. Among those under 25, the number jumps to 66%. Even among public sector employees, 55% express concern about displacement, despite high optimism around AI’s potential.

A McKinsey study estimates that around 45% of jobs in key Middle Eastern countries are susceptible to automation, amounting to over 20 million roles and $366 billion in wages. The most vulnerable are roles centered on routine execution: administration, data entry, basic accounting, and back-office operations.

“In the Gulf, sectors built on repetitive, process-heavy tasks are already being reshaped by AI,” says Rashmi Kapale, Head of HR at PIXL Group. “But it’s not just about reducing headcount. It’s about redirecting people toward higher-value work that AI can’t replicate.”

THE RISE OF HUMAN-AI PARTNERSHIPS

Kapale sees resilience in roles that demand emotional intelligence, strategy, and creativity. “AI may take over the ‘busy work,’ but it can’t replace empathy, contextual understanding, or the ability to connect and influence. The most future-proof employees will be those who learn to work alongside AI — using it as a co-pilot rather than seeing it as competition.”

This is particularly evident in fields like audit and tax, which are increasingly augmented, but not replaced by AI tools. “While automation has transformed data processing and reporting, the uniquely human elements remain in professional skepticism, ethical reasoning, and interpreting intent,” says Reefat Maniar, Chief Operating Officer at Baker Tilly. “Trust, central to audit and tax, is built through human relationships, not automation.”

Maniar adds that AI still plays a supporting role even in advanced applications like forensic auditing. “AI strengthens accuracy and speed, but decision-making still rests with professionals.”

NATIONALIZATION MEETS DIGITIZATION

At the same time, countries are also pushing for nationalization, which intersects directly with digital transformation. “Governments are prioritizing Emiratization and Saudization while driving digital maturity,” Maniar notes. “That means equipping local professionals with technical expertise, AI literacy, and ethical application of technology. These are not competing goals; they’re complementary.”

Kapale agrees, highlighting how HR is being redefined across the board. “The future workforce in the Gulf won’t be defined by how many engineers we produce, but by how fast we can help people across all disciplines adapt to an AI-driven world.”

THE PRIVATE SECTOR REDEFINES ‘SAFE’ CAREERS

Meanwhile, the private sector is becoming attractive for ambitious, security-conscious professionals, particularly those with AI fluency. 

“The private sector has gained significant ground in the perception of job safety,” says Koshy. “Tech and service-oriented firms now position themselves as future-proof career destinations. With 75% of knowledge workers using AI tools, demand for AI-fluent talent has surpassed demand for traditional roles.”

AI-driven job creation is outpacing losses globally. Though 85 million jobs may be displaced by the end of 2025, an estimated 97 million new roles will be created, many centered around AI strategy, oversight, and integration. Job titles like AI Prompt Engineer, AI Ethics Consultant, and Digital Twin Architect are now part of the new safe-job vocabulary.

“The jobs now considered ‘safe’ combine human insight with AI capability,” says Koshy. “Where judgment, creativity, and ethical oversight remain indispensable.”

THE NEW CURRENCY OF CAREER LONGEVITY

In response to this new reality, regional governments are overhauling education and upskilling efforts. The UAE has committed to training 10,000 citizens in AI by 2030, embedding AI education from primary school to university. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman are also investing heavily in digital literacy and workforce transition.

“AI fluency is unequivocally becoming the new baseline for job security,” Koshy says. “Professionals with AI skills earn up to 56% more, and job postings seeking AI skills grew by 7.5% in 2025, even as overall postings declined.”

Employers are increasingly prioritizing skills over degrees. “AI proficiency increasingly trumps formal credentials,” he adds. “Most professional jobs already require a working understanding of generative AI, data thinking, and ethical AI practices.”

At Inception, AI-native tools are already part of daily enterprise workflows. “The saying ‘AI won’t take your job, but a person using AI will’ has never been truer,” Koshy says. “Those without AI fluency risk obsolescence. Those with it are positioned for resilience, relevance, and leadership.”

Now, the most secure roles blend technical expertise with adaptability, data with judgment, and automation with human-centered thinking.

As the region pours billions into AI strategies and digital upskilling, the overwhelming consensus remains that job security is no longer about permanence, but progress.