Last Updated: 4 August 2026
AI Is Changing the Way South Africans Find Jobs
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a technology used by software developers or large corporations—it is rapidly changing how companies hire, the skills they expect from employees, and the types of jobs available.
For South African job seekers, especially graduates, first-time applicants, and people looking for entry-level work, understanding these changes has become increasingly important.
According to PwC’s 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer, which analysed more than one billion job advertisements across 27 countries and territories, AI is creating what researchers describe as a “two-track labour market.” Some occupations are becoming more valuable because AI enhances workers’ productivity, while others are changing because AI can now perform many routine tasks that were previously done by people.
Although South Africa faces unique economic challenges, including one of the world’s highest unemployment rates, the report provides useful insights into the skills that employers are increasingly looking for and how job seekers can remain competitive in an AI-driven economy.
What PwC’s 2026 Report Found
The report found that jobs affected by AI generally fall into two categories:
Professionalised Jobs
These are occupations where AI helps professionals work more efficiently but doesn’t replace human expertise.
Examples include:
- Doctors
- Recruiters
- Lawyers
- Engineers
- Financial Analysts
Instead of replacing workers, AI handles repetitive administrative work, allowing professionals to spend more time making decisions, solving problems, and working directly with people.
According to PwC, these roles are growing roughly twice as fast as jobs where AI mainly automates routine work.
The report also found that salaries in these occupations increased 42% faster than those in other AI-exposed jobs.
Democratised Jobs
These are jobs where AI makes tasks easier for people with less specialised knowledge.
Examples include:
- Customer service agents
- IT support staff
- Administrative assistants
- Medical secretaries
AI tools can now answer common customer questions, write emails, generate reports, and complete many routine office tasks.
This doesn’t necessarily eliminate these jobs—but it changes what employers expect from employees.
Demand for AI Skills Is Growing Rapidly
One of the biggest findings in the report is how quickly demand for AI skills is increasing.
Between 2024 and 2025, job advertisements requiring AI-related skills increased by 68.9%, while the overall job market grew by only 8.6%.
In addition, jobs requesting AI skills offered an average salary premium of around 62%, compared to similar positions that did not require AI knowledge.
In some industries, including consumer markets, this wage premium exceeded 100%.
Although these figures are based on advertised salaries rather than actual earnings, they clearly demonstrate that employers are increasingly willing to pay more for candidates who understand AI tools.
What Does This Mean for South Africa?
While the report covers countries around the world, its findings are becoming increasingly relevant in South Africa.
Local employers are beginning to integrate AI into recruitment, customer service, administration, finance, and business operations.
PwC’s research also shows that the percentage of South African job advertisements mentioning AI-related skills has almost doubled to approximately 3%.
Although this may seem like a small figure, it represents rapid growth in a short period and suggests AI knowledge is becoming a competitive advantage for job seekers.
Call Centres and BPO Are Already Feeling the Impact
One of the sectors experiencing the biggest changes is South Africa’s Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and call centre industry.
For many years, call centres have provided thousands of entry-level jobs for young South Africans, particularly in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape.
Today, AI systems are increasingly handling:
- Frequently asked questions
- Password resets
- Basic customer enquiries
- Live chat support
- Routine account requests
Human agents remain essential for:
- Complex customer issues
- Complaints
- Emotional conversations
- Financial decisions
- Compliance-related matters
Rather than replacing workers completely, AI is reducing the amount of routine work available, meaning companies now expect customer service employees to handle more complicated interactions.
Human Skills Matter More Than Ever
Perhaps the most important finding for job seekers is that employers are placing greater value on uniquely human abilities.
PwC found that entry-level jobs most affected by AI are now seven times more likely to require skills such as:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Critical thinking
- Creativity
- Problem-solving
- Emotional intelligence
As AI automates repetitive tasks, employers increasingly expect employees to focus on work that machines cannot easily perform.
This means your CV should showcase not only technical knowledge but also examples of teamwork, leadership, customer service, and initiative.
It’s Not All Bad News
Despite growing concerns about AI replacing jobs, the overall picture is more balanced than many headlines suggest.
PwC notes that AI is changing the nature of work rather than eliminating employment altogether.
Similarly, research from the Yale Budget Lab found no evidence of widespread economy-wide job losses caused directly by AI at this stage.
Instead, employers are redesigning roles and expecting workers to collaborate with AI rather than compete against it.
Many organisations are also investing in training employees to use AI responsibly and productively.
What South African Job Seekers Should Do
Rather than fearing AI, job seekers should focus on adapting to the changing labour market.
Here are five practical steps:
Learn Basic AI Tools
Become familiar with tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and Canva AI. Even basic knowledge can strengthen your CV.
Develop Human Skills
Communication, customer service, leadership, adaptability, and problem-solving are becoming increasingly valuable.
Keep Learning
Free online courses in AI, Excel, digital marketing, data analysis, and project management can make your application stand out.
Apply for Structured Programmes
Learnerships, internships, graduate programmes, apprenticeships, and TVET workplace placements remain some of the best pathways into employment because they provide practical experience alongside training.
Tailor Every Application
Avoid sending the same CV to every employer. Match your CV to the skills requested in the job advertisement and clearly demonstrate how your experience meets those requirements.
Final Thoughts
Artificial intelligence is changing the workplace, but it is also creating new opportunities for people willing to learn.
The future job market will increasingly reward candidates who combine digital skills with strong communication, adaptability, creativity, and critical thinking.
For South African job seekers, staying informed, continuously learning, and gaining practical workplace experience through internships, graduate programmes, and learnerships may become more important than ever.
Rather than asking whether AI will take your job, the better question is:
“How can I use AI to become a stronger candidate than everyone else applying?”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AI replacing jobs in South Africa?
AI is mainly automating routine tasks rather than eliminating entire professions. Jobs are evolving, and employers increasingly value workers who can combine AI tools with strong human skills.
Which industries are seeing the most AI growth?
Globally, technology, telecommunications, media, and professional services are leading AI adoption, although finance, retail, healthcare, and customer service are also changing rapidly.
What skills should I learn?
Communication, problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, digital literacy, and basic AI tool knowledge are becoming increasingly valuable across many industries.
Should I still apply for entry-level jobs?
Yes. Entry-level opportunities remain available, but employers now expect stronger communication skills, adaptability, and a willingness to learn alongside technical abilities.
Can learning AI increase my salary?
Not automatically, but PwC’s report found that jobs requiring AI skills advertised significantly higher salaries than comparable positions without AI requirements.
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Disclaimer
CareerConnectSA publishes career news and labour market updates to help South African job seekers stay informed. This article summarises publicly available findings from PwC’s 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer and other publicly reported sources. Readers should refer to the official PwC report for the complete methodology and detailed findings.