PwC Global Chair Mohamed Kande on AI's impact on the labor market

Kande suggests that employees equipped with AI gain professional superpowers, shifting the competitive advantage toward those who master soft skills like judgment, collaboration, and emotional intelligence. This perspective aligns with PwC’s 2026 global jobs barometer, which analyzed over one billion job advertisements. The data indicates that companies heavily integrated with AI have seen headcount grow by 52% since 2018, compared to just 36% at less exposed firms, while also recording faster wage increases.

However, the transition presents a nuanced challenge for junior talent. While repetitive, data-intensive entry-level tasks face automation, roles that integrate advanced skills are thriving. PwC’s own strategy reflects this shift, with plans to reduce traditional entry-level hiring in the US by one-third over the next three years. Simultaneously, the firm is pivoting to recruit specialized talent, such as engineers, to meet evolving demands. Ultimately, the industry is moving toward a two-tier workforce, favoring organizations that successfully amplify human potential through technology rather than replacing it.