23/11/2025

ON SUNDAY November 23, 2025 theSunday Special XII Y OU’VE probably heard ru mours that AI is coming for your job. Perhaps an algorithm will write your report, respond to your emails or even attend Zoom meetings on your behalf. But before panic sets in, let’s break it down: while some jobs may disappear, many will be transformed and new roles will emerge. Let’s dive into what this means for Ma laysia’s white-collar workforce.

On a global scale, Adam Dorr, director of research at RethinkX, warned that “machines that can think are here” and most jobs could be “wiped out by 2045”. It’s a stark image indeed. Horses were replaced by cars and now humans are being gradually replaced by machines. Even Geoffrey Hinton, known as one of the “Godfathers of AI”, has sounded the alarm about intellectual work being overhauled. But here’s the thing: Not all white collar jobs are equally vulnerable. A recent Microsoft Research study on the AI tool “Copilot” looked at 200,000 workplace interactions. It found that roles such as interpreters, writers, editors and notably translators, have about a 98% overlap with AI tasks. Meanwhile, human-heavy roles like nursing assistants and machine operators are far less replaceable. Yes, Malaysian Ṙ FH ZRUNHUV VKRXOG IHHO FDXWLRXV EXW LW¶V QRW D RQH VL]H ¿WV DOO VFHQDULR Let’s bring the focus home. A study referenced by the World Economic Forum estimates that around 620,000 Malaysian jobs are at high risk of automation in the FRPLQJ \HDUV +RZHYHU WKH ÀLS VLGH LV interesting too: 60 emerging roles have DOUHDG\ EHHQ LGHQWL¿HG LQ $, DQG digital technologies. That’s a signal: yes, some jobs might go, but brand-new job types are on the rise. McKinsey reported that roughly 50% of Malaysian work time is devoted to highly automatable activities. The Malaysian government’s own outlook is no less seri ous. Over 30% of local jobs are expected to be impacted by AI in the next decade, particularly in manufacturing, services DQG ¿QDQFH Globally, workers report mixed feel ings. A 2024 study across nine countries found many believe AI could improve their jobs by enhancing safety, comfort, pay and autonomy. However, that study also found that better-educated workers are sometimes more anxious about the impact of automation. That anxiety isn’t unfounded. Ernst & Young surveyed US workers and found IHDU $, ZLOO PDNH VRPH MREV REVROHWH while 65% are concerned AI might take

Humans and machines at work BY ASHRAF WAHAB

higher wages in AI-exposed roles suggest these jobs may become more rewarding. What can Malaysian workers do now? • Upskill continuously: Learn AI-ad jacent tech like prompt engineering, data literacy and no-code tools (UiPath, Power Automate). • Record and share your impact: Show how you’re adding value beyond rou tine tasks. • Focus on transferable skills: Leader ship, adaptability, communication and ethics are in constant demand. • Seek pioneering projects: Volunteer for AI pilots or cross-functional initiatives to gain exposure. • Cross-train: Explore digital, AI or data roles within your organisation, even if temporarily. Malaysian office workers shouldn’t be complacent either. The story isn’t one dimensional: • Yes, routine work is under pressure, especially for entry-level, administra tive, reporting and translation tasks. • Yes, AI will transform how we work, but forward-looking professionals FDQ EHQH¿W IURP Ḣ FLHQF\ DQG ZDJH growth. • Yes, Malaysia is gearing up with invest ments, policy frameworks and training, EXW WKDW H̆ RUW PXVW WULFNOH GRZQ ZLWK accessible skilling. • Yes, new roles are emerging – 60 already, likely hundreds more, particu ODUO\ LQ $, DQG WHFK DGMDFHQW ¿HOGV The choice for each of us is clear: adapt or be replaced. Equip yourself with new tools, stay curious and embrace change. If you can blend human insight with AI, your job’s future in Malaysia could be brighter than ever. Malaysian white-collar jobs aren’t disappearing overnight. However, they’re evolving fast. For many, that means play ing 50-50: Part human, part machine. Those who master the combo stand to come out stronger.

Malaysia currently ranks 24th globally in AI readiness (Oxford Insights), with a VFRUH RI ZHOO DERYH WKH JOREDO DYHUDJH RI 0LFURVRIW¶V :RUN 7UHQG ,QGH[ highlights that 86% of Malaysian business leaders are confident in deploying AI agents, and over 50% already automate HQG WR HQG ZRUNÀRZV Reskilling and upskilling are at the forefront. The WEF report encourages cross-skilling, pointing out that 620,000 jobs are at high risk. However, it also emphasises that new roles are emerging. Meanwhile, professional services such as AI, data analytics, and technical consult ing continue to experience steady growth in job demand. What’s the outlook for urban professionals? White-collar workers, who are often entrenched in routine, structured tasks, are most vulnerable. Think of repeating report formatting, managing calendars, drafting standard emails or initial analyt ics. Copilot-type tools already handle much of that today. Adaptation is key: ZRUNÀRZV PXVW HYROYH IURP GRLQJ WKH task to overseeing or complementing the AI. Human strengths remain vital: empa thy, negotiation, creative thinking, ethical judgement and relationship-building. AI struggles in nuanced, high-trust contexts. Businesses will likely preserve and even expand roles with interpersonal or com plex decision-making at their core. For many roles, AI won’t eliminate jobs, but it will change them. NLP-driven tools may automate data processing, but humans will still lead strategy, ensure accuracy, craft messaging and interpret VXEWOH PHDQLQJV 3Z&¶V ¿QGLQJV DERXW

over their own roles. While relevant glob ally, the sentiment is likely to resonate with urban Malaysian professionals who are facing increasing AI adoption at work. PwC’s 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer R̆ HUV D PRUH KRSHIXO DQJOH $, LQWHQVLYH industries have seen wage growth twice as fast as others. That suggests, at least for now, AI is making workers more valuable, not obsolete. Still, this depends heavily on roles shifting from routine to value-added. How Malaysia is preparing Malaysia isn’t sitting still. In May 2024, Microsoft pledged US$2.2 billion to develop cloud and AI infrastructure, including training 300,000 people and establishing a national AI centre. Soon after, Google’s US$2 billion data centre investment, plus new national cloud and AI regulations, also came into play. This promises 26,500 new jobs and improved digital readiness.

Combining human insight with AI is key to thriving in Malaysia’s evolving ĢöżÙãϰē¾ěßłÙ¾Ļãλ