Technology investment and job creation in the intelligent age

Author: Euvin Naidoo, distinguished professor of practice for global accounting, risk and agility at Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University. Professor Naidoo also serves as the director of the Thunderbird Case Series and serves on the editorial board of the Thunderbird International Business Review.

As we stand at the frontier of what the World Economic Forum (WEF) calls the 'intelligent age,' the intersection of technology investment and job creation presents unprecedented opportunities and challenges. Drawing from my work with the WEF's Global Future Council on the Future of Job Creation and my experience at Thunderbird School of Global Management at ASU, I've observed how crucial it is to approach this transformation through the lens of principled innovation. Principle innovation ensures that as we push technological boundaries, we remain anchored to values and ethics that serve the greater good.

The evolving landscape of work

The work landscape is rapidly evolving, shaped by the emergence of agentic AI and physical AI. These technologies are part of the Human+ era and aren't just changing how we work, they're fundamentally reshaping entire industries and creating new paradigms of human-machine collaboration. For instance, in healthcare, AI is revolutionizing diagnostics and treatment planning, while in agriculture, precision farming techniques driven by AI are increasing productivity and sustainability. Across industries many routine tasks will increasingly be handled by autonomous agents, freeing human capital for higher-order thinking and complex problem-solving. This transformation is particularly evident in sectors like transportation, where self-driving vehicles are changing how we move, reshaping policy, asset-finance, insurance, and ownership models.

Consider a scenario: vehicles equipped with AI might negotiate with each other using cryptocurrency and smart contracts, automatically resolving traffic congestion, even helping a late passenger stuck in traffic catch a flight by ‘asking’ the car in front if it can move. This scenario isn't science fiction, it's an example of how interconnected our technological systems are becoming and how they can create entirely new categories of business models.

The new educational paradigm

For students and professionals, the intelligent age demands a new approach to career development. The traditional model of front-loading education followed by decades of practical application is giving way to the 'never graduating' mindset. At Thunderbird, we've embraced this reality by integrating continuous learning into our curriculum and providing many lifelong learning opportunities. Our case-based teaching method, for instance, doesn't just teach theory, it creates immersive experiences where students practice real-time problem-solving and develop the muscle memory needed for agile leadership. This emphasis on continuous learning is not just a necessity, but a source of motivation and engagement in the intelligent age.

A particularly exciting development is the democratization of technology skills. "English is the new coding language" is the emerging mantra because AI is breaking down traditional barriers to entry in tech fields. We're entering an era where more “non-coders” are learning to code simply by speaking or expressing what they want, and creativity and problem-solving are becoming increasingly important. This shift will create unprecedented opportunities for those who might have previously felt excluded from the technology sector.

The power of principled innovation

The promise of technology must be balanced with purpose. Through our work at Thunderbird and insights from global partners, we've seen how technology investments can either widen or bridge societal gaps. In the WEF's Global Future Council on the Future of Job Creation report "Leveraging Technology Investment for Good Job Creation in Middle-Income Countries," our team examined job creation in middle-income countries. One company we highlighted was M-Kopa, based in Kenya, which blends business, social enterprise, and community-level impact as part of its innovative model to drive impact. M-Kopa delivers solar energy to the last mile, provides financing, trains entrepreneurs, and fosters value creation across the supply chain and multiple community stakeholders. 

This model shows how technology investment can address what development economists call the "missing middle,” which describes the gap between micro-enterprises and large corporations that often characterizes middle-income economies. When companies like M-Kopa invest in technology infrastructure, they create opportunities for medium-sized businesses to emerge and grow. Their approach illustrates how thoughtful technology deployment can create multiple layers of job opportunities while addressing crucial social needs. 

Social responsibility and ESG 

Technology provides tools for real-time data collection, transparent supply chains, and accountability. From AI-driven analytics to blockchain-based record-keeping, strategic technology investments can help businesses align growth with environmental and social responsibilities, ultimately accelerating their ESG progress. Arizona, for example, is a global leader in heat management through a skill-set developed over decades of experience managing extreme weather. Many international partners draw on the state's expertise in this field. 

Additionally, it is one of the homes of Waymo, pioneering self-driving vehicles. Fostering a culture of awareness—backed by tangible, everyday examples—helps make sustainability an integral part of daily life. Just as hailing a Waymo in downtown Phoenix has become the norm for many, sustainability should also become second nature and a continuous journey that combines smart legislation, investment, and partnerships between sectors, especially educational institutions training future leaders and industry juggernauts harnessing this talent ecosystem.

The role of educational institutions

At Thunderbird, we're particularly focused on developing system thinkers who understand the global challenges and opportunities and can navigate these complex systems while maintaining a strong ethical compass. Our global headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, puts us at the heart of several transformative industries, from semiconductor manufacturing to sustainable energy solutions, providing our students with unique insights into how technology can drive positive change.

Our curriculum and learning committee continuously evolve Thunderbirds programs to integrate frontier technologies not just as subject matter but as tools for learning. We're creating experiences like our digital "table case" on the Agile Manifesto, where students learn agility by practicing it in real-time.

This approach has earned global recognition, including a recent award from the UK's Case Centre for teaching impact. But more importantly, it reflects our commitment to preparing leaders who can thrive in an increasingly complex and fast changing world. We're not just teaching about technology; we're using it to create more engaging, effective learning experiences.

Building future-proof careers

To thrive in this everchanging work landscape, students and early professionals should focus on several key areas:

• Develop strong problem-solving capabilities: The ability to analyze complex situations and devise innovative solutions remains invaluable in our fast-evolving technological landscape. It is crucial to understand how to leverage AI and other emerging technologies as tools for problem-solving rather than seeing them as threats to human employment.
• Cultivate an ethical framework for decision-making: As technology becomes more powerful, the ability to make principled decisions becomes increasingly critical. This involves understanding not just what technology can do but also what it should do and how it can be deployed responsibly.
• Build global perspective and cross-cultural competence: In our interconnected world, collaboration across borders and cultures is no longer optional. At Thunderbird, we emphasize this through our global programs and partnerships, ensuring our students understand how technology adoption and impact vary across different cultural contexts.
• Embrace continuous learning and adaptability: The half-life of technical skills is shortening, making it essential to develop the ability to learn and unlearn quickly. Professionals must stay current with technological trends and maintain a strong foundation in fundamental business and leadership principles.

Looking ahead: The promise of technology

Jobs of the future might not even exist today. We're seeing this at Thunderbird, where our graduates are pioneering new positions combining technical expertise and global leadership skills. Whether in established industries undergoing digital transformation or in emerging sectors, opportunities abound for those who can blend technological fluency with human-centric skills.

As we look ahead, I remain optimistic about the future of work. We face challenges in ensuring technology creates rather than displaces jobs. However, we can harness technological advancement for the greater good by grounding our innovation in principles, maintaining a commitment to continuous learning, and focusing on inclusive growth. At Thunderbird, we're committed to preparing leaders who can navigate this transformation while positively impacting global communities.

The key lies in understanding that technology investment isn't just about adopting new tools; it's about creating value beyond immediate business outcomes to encompass broader societal benefits. We need to remain focused on ensuring that the promise of technology helps raise the productivity and dignity of all communities, which is particularly crucial as we consider the global implications of technological advancement. 

The challenge is not just to create jobs but to ensure that technological progress helps narrow rather than widen existing societal gaps. Through the work of institutions like Thunderbird and ASU and initiatives like the WEF's Global Future Council on the Future of Job Creation, I am confident we will find ways to make technological advancement work for everyone, creating opportunities that combine innovation with inclusion and progress with purpose.

Article editor: Mary Hess, assistant director of communications at Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University.