Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the inner dynamics of how people work, learn and find careers.
From self-checkout registers to advanced data systems, AI is the driving force behind the innovation of today. However, as the technology spreads, it is raising critical questions about job security, skill development and the way in which schools prepare students for the future.
Across many industries, employers are increasing their use of AI in order to streamline their operations and cut costs.
A recent report from McKinsey & Company estimates that about 30 percent of the work done today could be automated by 2030. Although this leaves the door open for new kinds of jobs, it creates pressure for workers to adapt to a workplace that is forever changing.
This transformation is the most prevalent in the technology field itself. The same industry that created AI is being reshaped and controlled by it.
Data processing tasks and entry-level coding are being automated, but new roles such as machine learning and AI ethics are emerging. Employers are beginning to look for professionals who understand how to integrate AI and how to use it responsibly.
Universities across the country are also responding to this shift by expanding their academic programs. Purdue University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Florida have all launched AI-focused majors that combine computer science, ethics, and data analytics. The programs are aimed at helping students understand the technical and social sides of AI
At the University of North Carolina Wilmington and some other regional facilities, faculty are designing courses that connect technology with communication, business, and psychology.
UNC Charlotte announced in September that it plans to launch bachelor’s and master’s programs in artificial intelligence in August 2026, establishing the University as one of these few institutions in the country offering in-demand, comprehensive AI education.
These changes reflect the growing concern that AI is no longer just a threat to engineers and programmers, and it now influences almost every field.
Growing field of research
Researchers in Charlotte have started looking at how AI is affecting the local job market.
In a joint research project with the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Charlotte Works shared a presentation in March, providing an overview of AI’s impact on our local economy and workforce.
According to the report, Charlotte ranks 15th among major metros for AI exposure. “Industries such as information, finance and insurance, and manufacturing are among the most exposed to AI, with the finance and insurance sector having an average job salary of $161,621 and an AI exposure percentile of 74%,” stated the report.
The group found that, overall, AI has the potential for transforming jobs rather than eliminating them.
In a July Brookings Institution report the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia metro ranked among 28 “Star Hubs,” meaning the area falls into the second tier across three AI success pillars: talent, innovation and adoption.
Using data from 2022-2024, Brookings found 6,921 job postings requiring AI skills and a 35% exposure rate, share of jobs in the metro area exposed to generative AI.
The information is helping educators and policymakers understand what kinds of training will be needed in the coming years.
Although some tasks are being replaced by AI, others are just being improved through AI assistance. For instance, software can now generate basic reports or analyze patterns in data, but a human is still needed to interpret the results and make the important decisions. Understanding the balance between human judgment and machine efficiency will be the key to designing jobs that are productive and sustainable.
Across the job market, experts believe AI will both eliminate and create millions of jobs.
The World Economic Forum estimates that by 2027, automation will replace about 85 million jobs but create nearly 97 million new ones. The challenge is making sure workers have access to the correct education and training needed to fill these new roles.
Tech companies such as Google and Microsoft are offering a short-term AI certification program to help people develop new skills. Universities are encouraging students from many different majors to learn about AI applications in their field. This allows business, journalism, and healthcare students to look into how AI might change or influence their future.
As AI continues to grow, the question is not whether it will change the job market, but how people will respond. Students entering college today will graduate into a world where understanding AI is essential to success.
The Charlotte research effort and the expansion of AI programs at universities across the country show that education systems are adapting.
If schools, companies and communities can come together and make these changes accessible, the AI revolution may not just reshape the economy but redefine opportunity forever.
Queens University News Service stories are prepared by students in the James L. Knight School of Communication with supervision and editing from faculty and staff. The James L. Knight School of Communication at Queens University of Charlotte provides the news service in support of local community news.
