The worldwide artificial intelligence business will be worth USD190.61 billion by 2025, revolutionising tech jobs across industries and generating unprecedented opportunities. While many fear that automation might eliminate positions, a 2020 World Economic Forum report projects that AI will create 97 million new jobs, offsetting 85 million displaced positions by 2025.
Tech jobs are evolving rather than disappearing. According to LinkedIn’s 2020 Emerging Jobs Report Australia, Artificial Intelligence Specialist ranked as the #1 emerging role. Furthermore, 81 of the top 100 publicly traded corporations currently use blockchain technology, especially in the financial sector, indicating an increasing demand for specialised technical competence.
Future tech jobs will require a blend of technical knowledge and human capabilities. Emerging tech jobs, such as AI engineers and blockchain developers, are increasingly important for innovation and preserving a competitive advantage. However, this transformation doesn’t eliminate human workers—instead, professionals who learn to work alongside AI will become more effective and valuable in the 2026 job market.
AI and Human Collaboration in the 2026 Workforce
The 2026 workplace presents a fundamentally different relationship between humans and machines. As the IMF warns of a coming ‘tsunami’ of job transformation, evidence suggests this shift will be more nuanced than simply replacing workers.
AI as a Tool for Augmenting Human Roles
The most substantial impact of AI will not be widespread job elimination but rather the enhancement of existing roles. Research indicates that whilst 20% of occupations are at risk of automation, nearly four out of five jobs will evolve through a mix of innovation and assistance. In these professions, AI acts as a co-pilot, doing monotonous chores while experts focus on higher-value activities.
Organisations that deploy AI to augment human workers have outperformed automation-only approaches by a factor of three. Furthermore, sectors at the forefront of AI adoption have experienced nearly five times higher labour productivity growth than slower adopters. This augmentation effect could offset demographic pressures by adding the equivalent of 16-17 million workers to the US labour force within five to seven years.
Examples from Healthcare, Mining, and Retail
In healthcare, AI clinical assistants now synthesise patient data in real time, improving clinician productivity and reducing diagnostic errors. AI-enabled digital stethoscopes have doubled the detection rate of pregnancy-related heart failure compared to routine care. Moreover, AI scribes have increased direct patient interaction time by 23.5% while shortening appointments by 8.2%. This has led to a 13.4% increase in patient throughput per shift in A&E departments.
The mining sector, despite being one of humanity’s oldest endeavours, is experiencing a profound technological transformation. At operations like Escondida in Chile, BHP has integrated innovative hard hat sensor technology that analyses brain waves to measure truck driver fatigue and prevent accidents. AI-driven predictive maintenance serves as a cornerstone of mining safety, identifying machinery health degradation before failures occur.
In retail, 64% of CEOs now rank Generative AI as their top investment priority. Companies like 7Learnings use machine learning to optimise pricing, increasing profitability by up to 10% while reducing manual work by 80%. Nevertheless, retail leaders emphasise that successful AI integration depends on building trust with employees who must learn to work alongside these systems.
Emerging Tech Jobs 2026: What Roles Are Rising
As 2026 approaches, specialised tech roles are evolving at an unprecedented speed. Job boards reveal over 460 full-time Web3 positions posted in January alone, highlighting the rapid transformation of tech careers.
AI Product Manager and AIGC Engineer
AI Product Managers operate at the intersection of technology and business, guiding AI product development from conception to market. They interact with engineers and data scientists to establish product specs, while working with marketing teams to ensure market resonance. As AI becomes integral to business strategy, 76% of product leaders expect to expand their AI investments by 2026. These professionals earn between AUD 172,532 and 213,846 annually, reflecting their critical role in aligning AI capabilities with business objectives.
Simultaneously, AIGC (AI-Generated Content) Engineers develop systems that create human-like content, transforming traditional workflows across marketing, media, and e-commerce. They face the challenge of balancing automation with human oversight whilst maintaining brand voice integrity.
LLM Engineer and Blockchain Developer
LLM (Large Language Model) Engineers specialise in developing and optimising language models for complex business problems. Their responsibilities span model development, fine-tuning pre-trained models, and implementing prompt engineering techniques. This rapidly expanding role requires expertise in transformer architectures and Python programming, with professionals earning substantial compensation for their specialised skills.
In parallel, Blockchain Developers design decentralised applications and smart contracts that are reshaping finance, supply chain management, and healthcare. Their average salary reached approximately AUD 223,232 in 2025, with key challenges including scalability and navigating evolving regulatory frameworks.
Quantum Security Specialist and AI Ethics Consultant
Quantum Security Specialists focus on quantum-resistant cryptography, with the US government investing AUD 1.83 billion via the National Quantum Initiative Act. Government positions typically pay AUD 137,609-120,000, whilst private sector roles command 20-30% higher salaries.
Finally, AI Ethics Consultants address the ethical implications of AI technologies, earning between AUD 152,899 and 229,348 annually. Job postings requesting AI governance capabilities have increased by 150%, alongside a 125% rise in demand for AI ethics competencies, underscoring the growing importance of responsible AI implementation.
Skills That Will Matter Most in Future Tech Jobs
Beyond technical expertise, future tech roles demand a versatile skillset that balances innovation with ethical considerations. The World Economic Forum estimates that 39% of workers’ core skills will change by 2030 as employers adapt to technologies such as generative AI.
Problem-Solving and Communication
Analytical thinking is the foundation of effective problem-solving, allowing professionals to divide complex situations into digestible bits. Technical roles increasingly require teamwork—from data analysts to network engineers—necessitating clear communication and task delegation. Indeed, research shows employees with strong foundational skills tend to earn higher salaries and advance more frequently into leadership positions. The ability to transform difficult technological concepts into useful business insights has become one of the market’s most valuable skills.
Understanding AI Ethics and Data Privacy
Professionals should understand the ethical implications of artificial intelligence systems and negotiate complex data privacy laws. This includes applying risk frameworks that maintain public trust in the digital age. Effective AI governance requires knowledge of fundamental principles like proportionality, transparency, and accountability. Technical professionals now need both legal literacy to interpret privacy laws and communication skills to translate technical risks into business decisions.
Hands-on Experience with Tools like TensorFlow and AWS
Practical experience with AI frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and scikit-learn remains essential. Just as important is proficiency with major cloud platforms, including AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform. Understanding cloud architecture principles and designing scalable, resilient solutions provides significant value. Most cloud platforms offer free tiers that allow professionals to experiment and build practical skills.
Preparing for the Shift: Education and Career Pathways
Preparing for future tech roles requires strategic educational investments that align with industry demands. The UK technology sector, now worth £1.2 trillion, demands professionals who combine AI literacy with human problem-solving skills.
Certifications in Machine Learning and Blockchain
Machine learning certifications provide credible validation of specialised skills. Andrew Ng’s Machine Learning Specialisation costs approximately AUD 90.21 monthly, whilst AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty (AUD 458.70) indicates expertise in building ML models on Amazon’s platform. IBM’s Machine Learning Professional Certificate and Google’s Professional Machine Learning Engineer Certification offer alternatives for varying career paths.
Similarly, blockchain certifications demonstrate expertise in distributed ledger technology. MIT’s 8-week Blockchain course equips professionals with fundamentals for career acceleration, consequently boosting salary potential by up to 30% compared to equivalent non-certified roles.
University Majors in AI, Quantum, and Cybersecurity
Universities across the USA, UK, Germany, and Australia offer specialised AI programmes. Quantum computing education is expanding rapidly, with the quantum talent shortage becoming a pressing challenge. By 2040, Australia’s quantum sector alone is forecast to generate over 16,000 jobs.
Mentorship and Continuous Learning Platforms
Platforms like Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning provide accessible upskilling opportunities. Meanwhile, structured mentorship programmes such as ACS Mentoring connect experienced professionals with early-career talent, subsequently accelerating professional growth through direct access to industry expertise.
Conclusion – Tech Jobs
The technological landscape of 2026 presents both challenges and opportunities for professionals across industries. Throughout this article, we have seen how AI technologies now complement human expertise rather than replace it. This collaborative approach has proven more effective, with augmented workforces outperforming automation-only approaches threefold.
Jobs are certainly being transformed as AI becomes ubiquitous. Nevertheless, statistics indicate that four out of five positions will evolve rather than disappear. Additionally, specialised roles such as AI Product Managers, AIGC Engineers, and Quantum Security Specialists have emerged, commanding impressive salaries and offering rewarding career trajectories for those with the right skills.
Success in this new environment depends heavily on developing a versatile skillset. Problem-solving abilities and effective communication are critical alongside technical expertise. Similarly, understanding AI ethics and data privacy regulations has become essential across technical professions. Hands-on experience with tools like TensorFlow and cloud platforms further distinguishes high-performing tech professionals.
The 2026 tech workforce ultimately represents a remarkable blend of human creativity and machine capability. Professionals who embrace this partnership and develop both technical and interpersonal skills will find themselves well-positioned for the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. The future belongs not to those who fear technological change but to those who adapt and grow alongside it.
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How will AI impact job roles by 2026?
AI is expected to enhance rather than replace most jobs. While some roles may be automated, AI will primarily augment human capabilities, allowing professionals to focus on higher-value tasks. This collaboration between humans and AI is projected to boost productivity across industries significantly.
What are some emerging tech jobs for 2026?
Some of the rising tech roles include AI Product Managers, AIGC Engineers, LLM Engineers, Blockchain Developers, Quantum Security Specialists, and AI Ethics Consultants. These positions reflect the growing importance of AI, blockchain, and quantum computing in the tech industry.
What skills are most important for tech jobs in 2026?
Key skills for future tech jobs include problem-solving, effective communication, understanding of AI ethics and data privacy, and hands-on experience with tools like TensorFlow and cloud platforms.
What is the salary outlook for emerging tech jobs in 2026?
Emerging tech jobs are expected to offer competitive salaries. For example, AI Product Managers may earn between AUD 172,532 and 213,846 annually, while Blockchain Developers may earn around AUD 223,232 per year. Salaries for roles like Quantum Security Specialists and AI Ethics Consultants are also projected to be substantial, reflecting the high demand for these specialised skills.
