AI is no longer just the domain of coders and tech companies. It’s transforming how we work, think, and train the next generation—across disciplines as diverse as forensic science, anthropology, and psychology.
As machines grow more capable, human insight becomes more essential—but it must evolve alongside technology.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 offers a compelling preview of what work might look like by 2030. Drawing insights from over 1,000 employers in 55 economies, the report projects a net gain of 78 million jobs—driven by advances in technology, shifting demographics, and climate priorities.
As someone working at the intersection of forensic science, anthropology, and psychology, I found this report particularly relevant. These aren’t fields typically associated with digital disruption, but they’re standing at a pivotal crossroads.
Forensics in the Age of AI
In forensic science, AI is already reshaping investigations. From automated DNA analysis to predictive policing and digital forensics, new tools offer faster, more accurate assessments. With 86% of employers expecting AI to change their operations, forensic professionals must now go beyond lab work—they’ll need algorithmic fluency and data analysis skills.
Geopolitical tensions could drive demand for forensic expertise in areas like national security, counterterrorism, and fraud. But as manual lab tasks decline, the field must pivot to tech-enhanced methods. Tomorrow’s forensic experts will need to marry investigative rigor with digital savvy.
Anthropology: From Bones to Bytes
Anthropology is experiencing a similar transformation. AI and robotics are streamlining skeletal analysis and facial reconstruction, speeding up responses in both criminal investigations and disaster recovery. As climate change fuels more floods, fires, and displacements, forensic anthropologists are increasingly essential in humanitarian work.
Meanwhile, biological anthropologists are uniquely positioned to track how populations respond to environmental stress. In high-income countries, aging populations demand more research into age-related diseases. In developing regions, younger populations drive migration and workforce changes. But as manual skills become less essential, anthropologists must embrace data science, modeling, and digital tools to stay relevant.
Psychology, Neuroscience, and the Rise of Empathic Tech
Psychology and neuroscience are also on the rise, especially as the global population ages. Demand for mental health services and dementia care is growing rapidly. Organizational psychologists are helping companies build resilience—now one of the most sought-after skills in the workplace.
AI is influencing the field, too. Brain mapping, predictive diagnostics, and even AI-powered therapy are becoming more common, raising urgent questions around ethics and accuracy. As machines take over routine diagnostics, professionals must double down on what machines can’t replicate: empathy, judgment, and human-centered care.
In my own teaching, I’ve seen the shift firsthand. Where students once spent hours with bones and files, they now use 3D modeling software and AI-driven tools to analyze data. It’s not just about mastering new tech—it’s about adopting new ways of thinking.
Rethinking Education for a Digital Future
Universities are feeling the pressure. With 59% of workers projected to need retraining by 2030, higher education must take the lead in reskilling the workforce. Digital access is accelerating the shift to online learning, and institutions must modernize curricula to include AI, cybersecurity, and resilience training.
Clerical and administrative roles in academia are shrinking. At the same time, 63% of employers cite skill gaps as a major concern. This puts pressure on universities to align more closely with labor market needs—without abandoning disciplines like the humanities. When approached strategically, these fields can be reimagined to foster critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and interdisciplinary problem-solving.
A Global Outlook, A Shared Challenge
The impact of these trends varies by region. High-income countries may focus on healthcare and innovation, increasing demand for tech-savvy professionals in psychology and forensics. Countries like the Philippines, with growing labor pools, may invest more in education and workforce development. While the global job market is projected to grow 7%, regional inequalities remain a pressing issue.
Still, the message is clear across borders: adapt or risk being left behind. Human-centered fields must blend their traditional strengths with digital adaptability to stay vital. The professionals who thrive will be those who don’t just understand how AI works—but who can work meaningfully alongside it.
As Darwin reminded us, it’s not the strongest who survive, but the most adaptable. By 2030, that adaptability will mean more than upgrading skills. It will mean reimagining what it means to be human in a world increasingly shaped by machines.
The Author, RJ O. Taduran is a forensic anthropologist who reads bones, not palms — decoding the human story at the crossroads of tech, teaching, and truth.
