The Future of Work: Preparing for a Post-AI Job Market

Jun 24, 2025

A quiet revolution is underway , and it’s happening faster than most of us realize. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation are no longer technologies of the future; they are active agents of transformation, reshaping industries, redefining roles, and reimagining how work is done. Startups, often at the forefront of innovation, are uniquely positioned to lead in this new reality. But to thrive, they must also evolve.

This week, we explore the future of work in a post-AI world, and more importantly, how startups across the MENA region and beyond can strategically adapt to this transformation.

Projected Impact of Automation by 2030 To ground this conversation in reality, consider this projection from the World Economic Forum and McKinsey Global Institute. It’s estimated that:

  • 60–70% of tasks in data processing and predictable physical work will be automated.

  • 25–35% of roles in areas like customer interaction and administrative work will be augmented or replaced.

  • High-cognition jobs (creative, strategic, empathetic) will grow in importance and account for a larger share of future employment.


From routine to strategic—this is the shift that startups must navigate.

A Shift from Routine Tasks to Cognitive & Strategic Work

As AI continues to master tasks that are repetitive, mechanical, and process-driven, the value of human capital shifts toward creativity, empathy, leadership, and adaptability. Startups that embrace this shift early on will have the edge.

What does this mean in practice?

  • Your marketing intern will need to be an AI prompt engineer as much as a content creator.

  • Your operations manager will rely less on spreadsheets and more on AI-generated dashboards to make strategic decisions.

  • Your sales team will automate lead generation, but double down on human connection to close deals.

In other words: automation doesn’t replace people; it redefines how they create value.

Startups as Talent Rebuilders

The startup ecosystem must not only adapt to the new work landscape, they must help shape it. Here’s how:

  1. Reimagine Hiring Hiring based on job titles is out. Hiring for adaptability, digital literacy, and creative problem-solving is in. Build roles that are fluid, with room to evolve as your tech stack evolves.

  2. Embrace Reskilling Encourage and support ongoing training for your team. Whether it’s AI literacy, prompt engineering, or data analysis, every team member should be in a perpetual learning loop.

  3. Integrate Human-AI Collaboration Design workflows that augment human capacity with AI. Automate where it makes sense, but keep people in control. Think: AI suggests, humans decide.

  4. Prioritize Ethical Foundations AI introduces ethical questions about bias, privacy, and decision-making. Startups should lead with transparent data practices and ensure AI tools align with human values.

What Startups in MENA Can Do Right Now

The MENA region is at a unique crossroads. With a young, tech-savvy population, governments investing in innovation, and ecosystems like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 driving transformation, the opportunity is massive.

Here’s how startups in our region can stay ahead:

  • Map out roles in your organization that are vulnerable to automation, and redesign them.

  • Invest in team training for AI literacy, everyone from interns to executives should understand the basics.

  • Explore partnerships with academic institutions to tap into talent pools ready to build the future.

  • Join forums and communities discussing the ethical and operational implications of AI in your industry.

At Parachute16, we’ve seen firsthand how our startup partners are using AI to improve their products, connect better with customers, and make smarter decisions. The real success stories are the ones using AI to support people—not replace them.