Artificial intelligence is expected to significantly transform the German labor market, leading to the disappearance of around 800 jobs over the next 15 years. However, a similar number of new positions are expected to be created as a result of this transformation.
The prediction was made by Andrea Nahles, head of the Federal Employment Agency in Germany, in an interview with the newspaper "Handelsblatt".
"We predict that over the next 15 years around 800 jobs in Germany will disappear due to artificial intelligence, but a similar number of new jobs will be created," Nahles said.
According to her, the most affected sectors will be companies that provide services to businesses, as well as positions that involve data analysis and processing in banks and insurance companies.
However, Nahles stressed that Germany should continue investments in artificial intelligence, provided that they bring real productivity gains and are not made simply because of the popularity of the technology.
She highlighted that the impact of AI will not be limited to low-educated workers, as university graduates are also facing difficulties finding jobs that match their qualifications. However, they continue to have better employment prospects compared to other groups.
In contrast, practical occupations, especially those in the craft sector, are expected to be more resistant to automation, as they require skills that technology cannot easily replace.
Another challenge for the German labor market remains demographics. According to Nahles, Germany loses around 500 employees in net terms every year due to demographic changes.
For this reason, she called for the attraction of more qualified workers from countries outside the European Union, as well as the creation of a special "Work-and-Stay" agency, which would facilitate the procedures for the arrival and employment of foreign specialists.
The agency aims to modernize and accelerate administrative procedures for qualified immigrants, through the digitalization of services.
The Federal Employment Agency's forecast shows that artificial intelligence is not only expected to replace a portion of existing jobs, but also to change the structure of professions and skills that will be required in the future.
