Davos 2025: AI’s Job Impact Hinges On Reskilling, Says Publicis Sapient Chief Nigel Vaz

AI will create new job opportunities, especially in energy, healthcare, and financial services, even as concerns exist over AI-induced job losses, particularly in labour-intensive economies like South Asia.

That's the word coming in from Nigel Vaz, CEO of Publicis Sapient, who believes that AI will drive digital business transformation by augmenting human workforces and enabling greater efficiencies.

"AI is going to be embedded in every single aspect of transformation. We are moving from human action-driven processes to more agentic architectures, where digital and physical workforces operate together," Vaz told NDTV’s Vishnu Som on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum at Davos on Thursday.

The comments come amid growing concerns about job losses due to AI, particularly in economies reliant on traditional employment structures. However, Vaz argues that AI's ability to handle repetitive tasks will free human workers to focus on higher-value roles.

Vaz highlighted a shift from software as a service to services as software, where AI platforms generate software dynamically based on real-time needs. This transition allows companies to create and evolve software solutions more efficiently.

"Software is now able to create opportunities in the services space, producing outcomes that were previously unattainable. Companies are moving from deploying software products to creating AI-driven platforms that generate software on demand," Vaz said.

Addressing ethical concerns, Vaz emphasised that AI relies on data, making data strategy a critical factor in ensuring responsible AI use. The relevance of AI-driven decisions depends on the quality and contextual accuracy of the data used.

"If you have bad data, you will have bad AI. AI models must be trained on relevant and context-specific data to provide meaningful insights. Organisations must ensure their AI solutions create value for users rather than simply extracting data without benefits," Vaz said.

On AI regulation, Vaz noted the challenge of implementing uniform global standards, given the diverse regulatory environments across countries. He cited the example of GDPR as a framework that gained wider adoption despite being region-specific.

"Regulation will need to be tailored to different markets and expectations. While global forums aim to set standards, local regulations will shape AI deployment. Companies must focus on using AI responsibly to deliver value to consumers," Vaz said.