Artificial intelligence is reshaping the workforce faster than any technological shift in recent history. Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey recently compared AI’s potential disruption to the Industrial Revolution, not because it will eliminate work altogether, but because it will fundamentally change it.
Just as machines once displaced manual labourers before creating new industries, AI is already transforming how economies function, the roles businesses need, and the skills people must develop to succeed.
The challenge isn’t simply that AI can now complete tasks in seconds that once took teams of graduates weeks. It’s that this shift risks leaving people behind, particularly young people entering the workforce for the first time. Many firms are already rethinking traditional entry-level roles in fields such as law, accountancy, finance and administration. If AI tools can review documents, analyse data, and automate processes, then what happens to the “first rung” of the career ladder?
Bailey’s warning isn’t doom-laden — it’s a call to prepare. The future will still have jobs, but they will increasingly be jobs where humans work with AI rather than compete against it. That means education systems, and schools in particular, have a crucial role to play in ensuring that today’s students are ready for tomorrow’s workplace.
The Skills Schools Need to Start Prioritising
If AI is going to become part of everyday professional life, then the question becomes: what should young people be learning now to thrive in that world?
1. Digital Fluency and AI Literacy
Students don’t just need to know how to use technology, they need to understand it. That means:
- Knowing what AI is and what it isn’t
- Understanding its strengths, limits and ethical risks
- Learning how to use AI tools responsibly and effectively
This isn’t about turning every child into a coder. It’s about confidence, critical thinking and control.
2. Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
AI is powerful, but it still needs humans to:
- Frame the right questions
- Judge accuracy and reliability
- Apply context, values and judgement
Schools that prioritise reasoning, inquiry-based learning, and real-world problem solving will develop students who can work alongside AI, rather than be replaced by it.
3. Creativity and Innovation
If AI can automate many logical, repetitive and analytical tasks, then uniquely human capabilities become more valuable. Creativity isn’t just about the arts, it’s about innovation, imagination and the ability to see opportunity where others see uncertainty. Students should be encouraged to explore ideas, take risks, design, build and experiment.
4. Communication and Collaboration
Even in an AI-powered economy, businesses still need people who can:
- Communicate clearly
- Build relationships
- Work in teams
- Understand others
Emotional intelligence, empathy and leadership will remain human advantages that AI cannot replicate.
5. Adaptability and Lifelong Learning
Perhaps the most important skill of all is the ability to keep learning. Jobs will evolve, industries will shift, and the tools students eventually use may not even exist yet. Schools that build resilience, curiosity and adaptability will create learners who feel ready rather than threatened by change.
Schools Have a Critical Role to Play
Andrew Bailey’s message is clear: AI has huge potential to drive growth and productivity — but only if society prepares properly. Schools, educators and policymakers need to treat AI readiness with the same seriousness as literacy and numeracy. This means:
- Embedding digital and AI understanding into curriculums
- Supporting teachers with training and resources
- Ensuring young people develop both technical confidence and strong human skills
The Industrial Revolution ultimately created more opportunity than it destroyed, but only because people adapted. Today’s students deserve the same commitment to preparing them for a rapidly changing world.
If we ensure young people have the right tools, confidence and support, AI doesn’t have to be a threat to their future, it can be the platform that helps them shape it.
Spanish 
English 
Portuguese 
French 
Italian 
German