We recognise that AI and its eventual transition into AGI will be an inflexion point in the history of the human race and its ability to shape the World we live in. This technology, if it is deployed equitably worldwide, can bring immense benefits by resolving many of the existential threats facing humans and by helping deliver a more sustainable, fairer and safer world for all.

However, there will necessarily be a transition period when severe disruption will occur in every business and every organisation in every country and AI will adversely affect many businesses and many knowledge workers while robotics will displace individuals doing manual, repetitive work.

There are around 360 million businesses registered around the world that could improve their productivity and profitability if they could integrate AI into their business processes. However,since 90% of them are in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)) , most they will not have access to affordable expertise to help them. At the same time, apart from the millions of workers who will be displaced, there are millions of unemployed graduates ( typically 15-25 %) in those same countries who currently struggle to earn any income. This is a dreadful waste of smart human talent that could and should be deployed more productively for the benefit of such businesses, the individuals concerned and for the general betterment of society and economic development of their countries.

The availability of numerous no-code or low -code options and excellent AI courses now makes it possible for non-programmers to train as AI products and services developers. Most AI products and services used in business can now be delivered by developing and deploying “ai-agents” to automate or improve business processes. If non-programmers could could be encouraged and trained in use of such no-code platforms , they could help their local businesses automate repetetive activities and integrate AI into their business processes . The individuals trained would have opportunities to earn income, start new careers as AI -product developers or even become entrepreneurs developing and selling their own AI products. If effective action is taken to encourage and develop such expertise, there is significant societal benefit and such businesses and individuals will not only survive but thrive in the new AI Era  that we are entering and help in the economic development of their countries .

Although many jobs will be lost, new types of jobs or careers will emerge to meet the needs of those adversely affected by AI. These new jobs will offer opportunities for those willing to learn new skills that could provide them with secure well-paid jobs that will be in high demand for the next decade.

Opportunities must therefore be taken not only to equip and transition those displaced from their old jobs but also to assist any others who may wish to learn new AI skills that can be applied in the new AI environment. This can provide them, either with fulfilling continued employment using AI in their existing jobs , provide opportunities to start new well-paid careers or to become AI entrepreneurs developing or applying their own AI products or services . These are all types of employment that will be needed in the AI era.