In recent years, the South African job market has become more and more challenging. Aside from the skyrocketing unemployment rate (33% in 2025 Q2; youth unemployment at 62.2%), job seekers are also navigating a noticeable mismatch between available skills and employer demands. Added to that, there’s the AI job threat: many people feel that AI is coming for their jobs. “Routine and admin-heavy roles will increasingly become AI-augmented or replaced,” says Debbie Goodman, CEO of Jack Hammer Global, an executive search firm. With all things looking considerably dire, is the AI job threat real? And how can women find work in 2026?
How Is AI affecting Work Right Now?
Since the advent of generative AI in 2023, apps like ChatGPT have increasingly been used to create shortcuts for human productivity. From creating university essays in seconds to automating previously time-consuming and complicated tasks, AI has left no industry unchanged. According to IBM, “the technology is expected to significantly impact the global economy by transforming the labour market and changing the nature of work.” Even previously in-demand professions like software engineering are becoming less necessary when machines can spit out code in seconds.
For businesses, AI presents a big opportunity for boosting productivity and profits, since it can increase and optimise everything from IT processes, marketing and customer service. But for employees, the shift feels far more threatening. According to McKinsey, 30% of working hours in the U.S. will be automated by 2030 – less than five years from now. World Economic Forum notes that “Old jobs vanish almost overnight while new ones emerge, but these new positions often require completely different skills and tend to cluster in tech hubs.”
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So, Is There An AI Job Threat?
Well… yes – and no, say experts. AI and automation displace routine and repetitive jobs, disproportionately affecting low-skilled workers who struggle to transition to new roles without upskilling. This contributes to job losses, particularly in sectors with high manual labour or administrative tasks. On the other hand, AI uptake represents new job opportunities, especially for anyone with digital and advanced technical skills such as software development, data analysis, cybersecurity, and digital marketing.
How To Survive The AI Work Revolution
Nicole Ramos Dodd, partner in tech & digital recruitment, says workers should reframe their thinking about AI. “Instead of fearing it, we need to embrace technology with curiosity and see how it can enable us,” she says. “AI can streamline tasks, free up hours in the day, and allow more time for what truly matters – exercise, family, or learning.”
Goodman agrees. “AI isn’t taking everyone’s jobs – but it is transforming the skills economy,” she says. “Demand for people who can work alongside and with AI will skyrocket. In South Africa, the focus needs to shift from fear to reskilling – helping people become AI literate instead of being left behind.” Here, some tips to reframe your thinking about AI as a job threat and a new skill to master.
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Develop and showcase digital and AI skills
With tech and AI reshaping the job market, acquiring and demonstrating skills in digital tools, coding, AI, and data management can distinguish candidates. Employers are prioritising candidates who can adapt to evolving workplace technologies.
Upskill
“For those unemployed, AI can also be an opportunity,” says Dodd. “Free courses, tutorials, and webinars are widely available. Volunteering, online learning, and digital upskilling can open doors to entirely new career paths. The future belongs to those who are willing to adapt and keep learning.”
Become specialised
Experts agree that roles that require empathy, ethics, complex decision-making and nuanced human interaction are harder to automate – highlight these in your CV and in cover letters and interviews. As a senior worker, tap into critical thinking competencies. Think: leadership, strategic thinking, negotiation, stakeholder management, regulatory or ethical governance.
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Diversify your income
As working roles shift to multiple competencies, why not split your earning potential? Consider multiple income streams: full-time work, freelance projects, and passive or semi-passive ventures. It might be the perfect opportunity to embrace that vintage furniture revival business you’ve been dreaming about.
Take action
Do a quick audit of your work-related tasks. Then, identify which ones you can optimise using AI. At the same time, pick one valuable skill to get better at – something like data storytelling or public speaking. And keep your learning constant: two to four hours a week of learning will keep you on pace with other developments.
