56% of 2030 jobs: Why AI ‘cross-competency’ is the new must-have skill

Rapid advances in artificial intelligence could render some university-trained professions obsolete, Kazakh lawmaker Askhat Aimagambetov said during a recent government hour session in Parliament.

Mismatch between education and labor market

Aimagambetov said universities in Kazakhstan continue to enroll thousands of fee-paying students in fields that are already losing relevance. At the same time, he noted that 56% of new jobs by 2030 are expected to be in medium- and low-skilled occupations.

He also pointed out that only about 31% of IT graduates in Kazakhstan currently find jobs in their field, highlighting a disconnect between education and labor market demand.

Impact of AI on professions

According to the lawmaker, tools such as ChatGPT could eventually replace some specialists who are now being trained in these areas.

He argued that many university programs are not yet adapted to the realities of AI, warning that current approaches risk becoming outdated.

Need for reform

Aimagambetov said students are often taught skills that do not reflect real-world demands, calling this approach a dead end.

He proposed embedding AI-related competencies across all disciplines. For example, he said, lawyers should not only understand AI tools but also be able to use them to quickly analyze large volumes of legal documents.

He warned that without integrating artificial intelligence into core curricula, graduates risk lacking the practical skills needed in a rapidly evolving job market.