Artificial intelligence is not displacing workers as widely feared, according to a new report that suggests companies are using the technology to support—not replace—human labour.
The report finds that 88 percent of chief executive officers expect to increase employee headcount, signalling continued demand for human workers even as AI adoption expands. Rather than eliminating jobs, the technology is largely being deployed to complement human capabilities, improve efficiency, and enhance decision-making.
This outlook challenges growing concerns that rapid advances in artificial intelligence would lead to mass job losses, particularly in developing economies. Instead, the findings suggest that businesses still rely heavily on human expertise, creativity, and judgement, with AI acting as a supporting tool rather than a substitute.
In Uganda and across the region, AI use remains focused on research, data analysis, automation of routine tasks, and productivity enhancement. Journalists, analysts, educators, and professionals increasingly use AI-driven tools to speed up work processes, but the core functions of their jobs continue to require human oversight.
A photograph taken in Kampala in December 2023 captures this shift in practice: a journalist researching artificial intelligence at a workstation, illustrating how AI is being integrated into daily work rather than replacing it.
The report’s findings suggest that, at least for now, fears of widespread job displacement may be premature. Instead, the challenge for workers and employers lies in adapting skills, ensuring ethical use of AI, and preparing the workforce to collaborate effectively with emerging technologies.
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, the report underscores the importance of investment in training and education to ensure workers are equipped to work alongside AI systems, rather than be sidelined by them.
