Authored by Mary Prenon via The Epoch Times,
Just as "The Obsolete Man," which aired in 1961, depicted a future society in which technology had rendered certain professions obsolete, a recent survey showed that, as AI reshapes the workplace, most U.S. workers fear becoming obsolete in the future workforce and believe developing new skills is essential to job security.
While many workers attributed their fear of obsolescence to a lack of skill with the latest technologies, some hiring and workforce professionals said building interpersonal skills is increasingly critical, especially at a time when many young people are living in a digital world.
ETS, a global nonprofit educational testing and measurement organization, reported that 54 percent of U.S. workers felt underprepared for the next generation of jobs in the coming decade, compared with 49 percent globally. Meanwhile, 75 percent said they have no clear indication of what those jobs will entail in 2035.
This uncertainty, in turn, is accompanied by fears of obsolescence, with 58 percent of those surveyed saying they fear becoming obsolete in the future workforce. The figure rises to 74 percent among technology workers and 73 percent among those in financial services.
"The reasons workers give are consistent across markets: they lack experience with emerging technologies such as AI, automation or data tools. Many also report limited hands-on exposure to i
