NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES – Cognizant’s New Work, New World 2026 report, a research on AI and its effects on jobs, reveals that 93% of jobs in the U.S. could be impacted, affecting US$4.5 trillion in economic activity.
“The technology, in short, is affecting more jobs, faster, and to a greater extent than we anticipated,” the report cites.
AI Is Reshaping the Workforce 6 Years Ahead of Schedule
Cognizant’s 2023 projections on AI’s impact have come to pass today, and it’s “more extensive and happening more quickly than anticipated.”
Here’s the comparison between the original 2023 and the new 2026 forecast:
- From 90%, 93% of jobs are now impacted by AI in some way
- From 52%, 69% of jobs are now significantly impacted
- From 15%, 30% of jobs are now facing existential change
These indicate that more and more jobs are becoming highly exposed, with more tasks potentially automated or assisted by AI. The report cites the following jobs and job families “experiencing the fastest surge in AI exposure”:
- Roles dominated by manual-labor tasks, such as those in construction, transportation, and automotive industries. For example, AI can interpret blueprints for architects and engineers.
- Decision-making roles, such as managers and supervisors. For example, AI can block a suitable meeting time after analyzing a project manager’s calendar.
- Hyper-specialized sectors, such as healthcare, education, and law. For example, AI can facilitate classroom discussions for busy teachers.
How Companies Can Adapt the Workforce to AI
Cognizant CEO, Ravi Kumar S, explains, “Our research shows that enterprises could unleash $4.5 trillion in labor productivity today. However, turning that investment into meaningful results takes more than raw technology power.
“Businesses must also integrate contextual intelligence, build flexible systems that can absorb new AI capabilities, and prioritize human learning and development alongside technological advancements. Companies that focus on these essentials will unlock the true value of AI.”
