Dear Reader: What’s in store for the future of jobs?

It’s only February, so the year is still young! As we look ahead to expectations for 2026, the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, covered the big picture of frontier technologies.

In 2020, the WEF launched a Reskilling Revolution, a global initiative to help people gain education, skills, and job opportunities in anticipation of the changing world of work. The mission? To empower one billion (yes, you read that right) with better education, skills and economic opportunity by 2030.

Recently, more than 25 technology companies committed to expanding artificial intelligence access. This includes skills training and clear job paths for 120 million workers. In the past, you may have geared a job search toward going where the jobs are. Now, you may want to pivot to where the jobs are in the companies who are committed to supporting you with sustainable skills.

It’s no surprise that earlier this year, AI took center stage, in particular robotics and automation in light of the evolution of work. They’re reshaping jobs, extinguishing some while creating others, along with changing the landscape of skills in demand. Let’s keep in mind that AI goes beyond automation by creating a new playbook of skills that people need to succeed in a rapidly changing demand for digital, AI and data skills.

To keep up with the pace, training needs to be ongoing. The one-two punch to land coveted jobs doesn’t rely only on technical skills. It’s about the right mix of technical and human skills, along with continuous learning and workforce structures to support ongoing skills development.

Training has solid return on investment for both employers and employees. According to Reuters, at Davos, Julie Teigland, EY’s global vice chair, indicated that approximately 81 hours of training per employee could equate to about 14% weekly productivity gains if it’s coupled with redesigning of roles.

So, what does this mean for you? Skate to where the puck is going. Jobs aren’t going to just vanish. Many of them will transform while others may diminish and others explode (think: health care, tech and green, sustainable energy.) Instead of thinking that AI’s going to extinguish your job and make you obsolete, think instead: “AI is going to change what skills are important.”

It may feel overwhelming, but remember, soft skills are a big part of the equation too. Leadership, communication skills, curiosity, empathy are all valued by employers.

Vicki Salemi is a career expert for Monster, an author, a speaker and consultant, TV commentator and former corporate recruiter. For more information, visit www.vickisalemi.com and follow her on Instagram @vickisalemi./Tribune News Service