A.I. and automation are already reshaping the way people work and live, and the pace is only accelerating. McKinsey research estimates that up to 30 percent of work hours could be automated by 2030, potentially rising up to 70 percent across many jobs. That’s the nature of technology. In just 40 years, the internet, smart phones, and new technologies have transformed entire industries. For example, in 1990 “digital marketer” wasn’t a job. Two years ago, “prompt engineer” didn’t exist. In the next five years, roles we can’t yet imagine will emerge.
Women will experience even more dramatic shifts in job opportunities and expectations than men, as A.I. and automation are set to disrupt the fields where they have greater representation. For example, roles in nursing, education, marketing, communications, sales, and customer service face significant transformation. In the U.S., about 87 percent of nurses are women, and up to 30 percent of their tasks could be automated. While nurses will remain essential, the way they work — and the role of technology in patient care — will undergo profound change.
Our advice isn’t just based on research — it’s personal. One of us launched Kode with Klossy to equip girls and gender-expansive youth with tech skills. The other leads McKinsey’s frontier technologies research to help companies apply new tools. We’ve both expanded our tech expertise throughout our careers, and we have seen the importance of embracing news skills firsthand. Early learning is terrific, but the percentage of female engineering and computer science college majors has hovered at 26 percent for the last decade. The key is gaining real-world experience on the job. Here are five things women can do to future-proof their careers in a tech-driven world.
First, be curious. Don’t hesitate to ask people with interesting jobs or those who work for exciting companies to meet with you and tell you about their day-to-day work. Ask them what skills are needed to be qualified for those jobs. New opportunities begin with curiosity.
Second, seize opportunities. Take advantage of employer-led learning, from A.I. training to pilot programs testing new tech. At McKinsey, hundreds of employees sharpened their tech skills by volunteering to be part of the development of the in-house A.I., Lilli. Hands-on experience is critical.
Third, play to what you know. You’re already an expert in your role — now think about how technology can enhance it. For example, can A.I. streamline vendor evaluations? Improve marketing campaigns? Offer deeper customers insights? Identify how tech can help you work smarter.
Fourth, make learning a habit. Dedicate 10 percent of your work time to upskilling. Use that time to educate yourself with continuous learning programs at your workplace. Investigate how new technologies may reshape your job. If the offerings at work aren’t sufficient, consider taking classes online.
Lastly, bet on yourself. Could your new tech skills land you a role at a more innovative company? A job rotation with higher growth potential? Leverage for your next promotion? Data shows that bold job moves — switching industries early or adopting new skills at any time in your career — offer the greatest upside.
Technology can be the source of competitive differentiation for corporate performance. Why not make it a source of your career differentiation? It starts with investing in your own skills now.
Karlie Kloss is a supermodel, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. She is the founder of Kode With Klossy, a nonprofit launched in 2015 that has empowered more than 11,000 young women and gender-expansive youth from over 100 countries through inclusive coding camps.
Lareina Yee is a McKinsey Global Institute director, global head of Tech Alliances, and co-author of The Broken Rung: When the Career Ladder Breaks for Women – and How They Can Succeed In Spite of It. She is an expert in frontier technologies and A.I., and she advises companies on growth and transformation.
