Artificial intelligence is changing the way people work, but the future of employment is not simply about which jobs AI might replace.

It is also creating demand for people who can build AI systems, work with data, develop software, secure digital infrastructure and apply technology to industries such as finance, manufacturing, energy and healthcare.

The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, based on more than 1,000 employers representing over 14 million workers across 55 economies, estimates that 170 million jobs could be created globally by 2030, while 92 million could be displaced. That would result in a net increase of 78 million jobs.

Technology-related occupations feature prominently among the fastest-growing jobs, with Big Data Specialists, FinTech Engineers, AI and Machine Learning Specialists, and Software and Applications Developers leading the list.

For students leaving school, this raises a different question: which careers are likely to become increasingly important as technology changes the world of work?

Here are 10 to know about.

Note: An “emerging career” does not necessarily mean a job that did not exist before. Some are established occupations experiencing rapid growth, while others are newer specialisations developing as industries adopt AI, automation, digitalisation and new technologies.

1. AI and Machine Learning Specialists

AI and Machine Learning Specialists develop systems that allow computers to learn from data, identify patterns, make predictions and perform tasks that would traditionally require human judgement.

Their work can range from developing machine-learning models and language systems to building computer-vision applications and AI-powered products.

Why is it growing?

The World Economic Forum ranks AI and Machine Learning Specialists as the third-fastest-growing job globally between 2025 and 2030. AI and information-processing technologies are also expected to transform the businesses of 86% of employers surveyed by 2030.

This growth is not limited to companies that build AI products. Businesses across finance, healthcare, manufacturing, retail and other sectors are looking for ways to incorporate AI into their operations.

How many opportunities are there in Malaysia?

Malaysia is already seeing investment associated with AI-related employment.

MDEC reported that AI-related investments accounted for 8,328 projected jobs in its 2025 Malaysia Digital investment announcement, representing 38% of the total projected employment associated with those investments. MDEC specifically cited growing demand for digital professionals, data scientists and AI engineers. 

TalentCorp's workforce study also identifies AI and Machine Learning Specialists as an emerging role in Malaysia's Global Business Services sector. Organisations surveyed projected demand of 2–200 specialists per multinational corporation and around 10 per public-listed company over the following three to five years. 

These figures should not be interpreted as a national forecast of AI vacancies. They indicate the scale of demand identified within specific investments and organisations.

Course

Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence)

2. FinTech Engineers

FinTech Engineers develop the technology behind financial services.

They can work on digital banking platforms, payment systems, financial applications, fraud detection and other technologies used to move, manage and analyse money.

Why is it growing?

FinTech Engineers are the second-fastest-growing job globally in the World Economic Forum's 2025–2030 outlook.

The reason is straightforward: financial services are increasingly becoming digital services.

Banks, payment providers and financial-technology companies need technology that can process transactions, manage customer data, detect fraud and deliver financial products through digital platforms.

How many opportunities are there in Malaysia?

Malaysia already has a large digital-finance ecosystem.

Bank Negara Malaysia reported that e-payment transactions grew 25% to 18.4 billion in 2025.

The scale of digital payments does not translate directly into a number of FinTech jobs, but it demonstrates how extensively technology is now embedded in Malaysia's financial system.

Malaysia's financial-sector workforce is also increasingly concentrated in highly skilled roles, with Bank Negara Malaysia noting that more than 95% of vacancies and newly created positions in the financial sector were targeted at highly skilled workers.

For students, this means FinTech sits at an interesting intersection: it combines technology with one of the world's largest industries — financial services.

Course

Financial Technology (FinTech)

3. Software and Applications Developers

Software and Applications Developers create the programmes, platforms and digital products people use every day.

That could mean a mobile application, website, business platform, cloud service or software product incorporating AI.

Why is it growing?

Software and Applications Developers are the fourth-highest growing occupation globally in the WEF's 2025–2030 outlook. 

US Bureau of Labor Statistics projections provide another indication of demand. Software developer employment is projected to grow by 16% between 2024 and 2034, adding approximately 267,700 jobs in the US. BLS links the demand partly to software development for AI, the Internet of Things, robotics, automation and connected products.

AI therefore does not simply compete with software developers. It is also creating new software that needs to be designed, integrated, tested and maintained.

How many opportunities are there in Malaysia?

Software Developers are listed as a critical occupation in Malaysia's MyMahir Malaysia Critical Occupations List 2024/2025.

More notably, Software Developers have appeared on MyCOL across its editions from 2015/2016 through 2024/2025, demonstrating persistent demand. TalentCorp's latest assessment found the occupation passed six of its 12 top-down indicators, including employment growth, vacancies, vacancy rate and persistence of occupational shortage.

Malaysia's digital investment ecosystem is also creating employment. MDEC reported more than 48,000 jobs associated with approved digital investments in 2024.

Course

Software Engineering

4. Data Scientists and Big Data Specialists

Data Scientists and Big Data Specialists work with large amounts of information to identify patterns, produce insights and help organisations make decisions.

Their work can support business forecasting, scientific research, AI development, product design and many other areas.

Why is it growing?

Big Data Specialists are among the high-demand jobs in the World Economic Forum’s 2025-2030 outlook worldwide. 

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 35% employment growth for Data Scientists between 2025 and 2035, adding around 95,400 jobs. 

How many opportunities are there in Malaysia?

TalentCorp's MyCOL 2024/2025 identifies Data Professionals as a critical occupation. The category includes Data Scientists, Data Analysts, Business Data Analysts and Data Governance Migration Specialists.

TalentCorp's wider impact study also identified Data Scientist as an emerging role in Malaysia's chemical
sector, with organisations surveyed projecting demand for Data Scientists over the next three to five years.

Malaysia's demand therefore extends beyond technology companies. Data professionals are increasingly relevant to manufacturing, finance, healthcare, energy and other industries that generate large amounts of information.

Course

Data Science

5. Cyber Security Professionals

Cyber Security Professionals protect an organisation's computer networks, systems and data from cyber threats.

They monitor systems, identify vulnerabilities, investigate security incidents and implement measures to protect digital infrastructure.

Why is it growing?

Cyber Security Professionals are among the 15 fastest-growing occupations globally in the WEF's 2025–2030 outlook.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of Information Security Analysts to grow by 21% between 2025 and 2035, adding approximately 40,600 jobs. BLS points to the increasing frequency of cyberattacks, growing use of AI and expanding e-commerce as factors supporting demand.

As more businesses move their operations online, protecting digital systems becomes part of operating the business itself.

How many opportunities are there in Malaysia?

Malaysia's MyCOL 2024/2025 identifies Cyber Security Professionals as a critical occupation.

The country's Information and Communication industry also recorded 16,045 job openings in Q2 2025. This figure covers the wider ICT industry rather than cybersecurity alone, but it provides context for the size of Malaysia's digital employment market.

Cybersecurity opportunities can also exist outside technology companies. Banks, hospitals, manufacturers, government agencies and other organisations all need professionals capable of protecting their systems and information.

Course

Cybersecurity

6. DevOps Engineers

DevOps Engineers work between software development and IT operations.

They help organisations deploy software, automate processes, manage infrastructure and keep digital services running reliably.

While users see an application on their phone or computer, DevOps professionals often work behind the scenes to make sure the systems supporting it can handle updates, users and changing demands.

Why is it growing?

DevOps Engineer appears among the 15 fastest-growing jobs in the World Economic Forum's 2025–2030 outlook.

The growth is closely connected to the wider adoption of cloud computing and increasingly complex digital services.

AI is adding another layer to this demand. AI applications require computing infrastructure, software deployment and reliable systems capable of operating at scale.

How many opportunities are there in Malaysia?

Malaysia is rapidly expanding its cloud and data-centre infrastructure.

MIDA reports that Malaysia recorded RM385.7 billion in data-centre-related investments between 2021 and the first half of 2026. MIDA has also highlighted the need to build local capabilities and higher-value opportunities around this infrastructure rather than focusing only on physical data-centre construction.

TalentCorp's Global Business Services study also includes DevOps Engineer among the technology roles being assessed in Malaysia's changing workforce.

The investment figure is not a forecast of DevOps jobs. Instead, it shows the scale of the cloud and computing ecosystem that creates demand for professionals who can deploy and maintain digital systems.

Course

Cloud Computing

7. Robotics Engineers

Robotics Engineers design, develop and maintain machines capable of performing physical tasks.

They can work with industrial robots, automated manufacturing systems, autonomous machines and robotics used in logistics, healthcare, agriculture and other industries.

Why is it growing?

The global robotics industry continues to expand.

The International Federation of Robotics recorded 542,076 industrial robots installed worldwide in 2024, while the global operational stock reached approximately 4.66 million robots. Electronics was the largest customer industry for new robot installations in 2024, accounting for 128,899 units.

Robotics is also becoming increasingly connected to AI. Instead of simply following a fixed set of instructions, newer systems can incorporate sensors, computer vision and AI-based decision-making.

How many opportunities are there in Malaysia?

Malaysia is targeting a minimum of 3,000 smart factories by 2030 as part of its industrial transformation. The initiative is designed around automation, digitalisation, AI, IoT and robotics, with the stated aim of creating high-skilled jobs.

TalentCorp's workforce research also identifies Robotic Engineer as an emerging role within its sector studies.

There is no single national figure for the number of Robotics Engineer vacancies in Malaysia. However, the expansion of smart factories provides a clear indication of where demand for robotics and automation expertise can develop.

Course

Mechatronics Engineering

8. Renewable Energy Engineers

Renewable Energy Engineers work on technologies and systems that generate energy from renewable sources.

They can be involved in solar power, energy systems, renewable-energy infrastructure and integrating new energy technologies into wider electricity networks.

Why is it growing?

Renewable Energy Engineers are among the 15 fastest-growing occupations globally in the World Economic Forum's 2025–2030 outlook. The report links the growth to climate-change mitigation, investment in green technologies and changes in energy generation, storage and distribution.

The wider renewable-energy industry is already a major source of employment. IRENA and the International Labour Organization estimate that at least 16.6 million people were employed in renewable energy globally in 2024. 

How many opportunities are there in Malaysia?

Malaysia approved 969 renewable-energy projects worth RM5.9 billion in 2025. Solar projects accounted for RM5.7 billion of that investment and were associated with 316 employment opportunities. 

The 316 jobs are not all engineering positions, but they show the employment attached to Malaysia's expanding renewable-energy project pipeline.

TalentCorp's Energy and Power study has also identified emerging roles such as Energy Solutions Integrator, Energy Trader and Sustainability Specialist, showing how the energy workforce is evolving alongside the transition.

Course

Renewable Energy Engineering

9. Electronics Engineers in the Semiconductor Industry

Electronics Engineers in the semiconductor industry work on the hardware behind modern technology.

Depending on their specialisation, they can work on electronic circuits, integrated circuits, chip design, manufacturing, testing, packaging and semiconductor systems.

Why is it growing?

The semiconductor industry is facing growing demand from AI, high-performance computing, electric vehicles and advanced electronics.

SEMI estimates that the global semiconductor industry could need more than one million additional skilled
professionals by 2030.

The reason is broader than the growth of AI itself. As more products become digital and computing-intensive, more semiconductors are required to power them.

How many opportunities are there in Malaysia?

Malaysia already has a substantial electronics and semiconductor industry.

MIDA recorded RM55.8 billion in approved E&E investments across 153 manufacturing projects in 2024, associated with 30,888 new jobs.

Malaysia's MyCOL 2024/2025 also identifies Electronic Engineers as a critical occupation.

At the national-policy level, Malaysia's semiconductor strategy is also focused on developing higher-value capabilities, including areas such as IC design, advanced packaging and R&D.

This is important for students because a semiconductor career is not limited to working on a production line. Engineering roles can span design, manufacturing, testing, equipment and research.

Course

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

10. Health Information Technologists and Digital Health Professionals

Health Information Technologists work at the intersection of healthcare and technology.

They can help organisations implement electronic healthcare systems, manage clinical information and analyse healthcare data.

The wider digital-health sector is also developing areas such as AI-assisted diagnostics, remote monitoring and connected medical devices.

Why is it growing?

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars to grow by 16% between 2025 and 2035, adding approximately 6,700 jobs. The agency attributes this partly to the growing amount of electronic health information being generated and the need to analyse and manage it.

The World Health Organization's 2026 analysis of digital-health competency frameworks also identifies areas including data, informatics and technical proficiency as important components of digital health.

Healthcare is therefore becoming increasingly dependent on people who understand both health systems and technology.

How many opportunities are there in Malaysia?

Malaysia's medical-device industry is moving towards more advanced technologies.

In 2025, Malaysia approved RM4 billion in medical-device investments across 46 projects, with 3,393 employment opportunities expected. The sector includes advanced diagnostic systems, high-precision devices and Industry 4.0 technologies such as sensors and IoT-enabled systems.

TalentCorp has also identified AI Diagnostics Engineer and Telehealth and Remote Monitoring Specialist as emerging roles in Malaysia's medical-device sector.

The 3,393 jobs cover the wider medical-device industry rather than digital-health positions alone, but they demonstrate the scale of the sector in which technology-focused healthcare professionals can work.

Course

Health Informatics

Which of These Careers Could Be Right for You?

There is no single technology career that every student needs to pursue.

Different fields combine technology with different interests:

The important takeaway for a school leaver is that “technology career” no longer describes just one career path.

A technology professional could work for a software company, bank, hospital, semiconductor manufacturer, energy company or smart factory.

Malaysia offers a useful example of this broader change. TalentCorp's national Impact Study examined 949 roles across 10 sectors and identified 60 emerging roles expected to become increasingly important over the following three to five years. Of those emerging roles, 43 were AI- and digital-related, 11 were green roles and six were new-technology roles.

For students around the world, the bigger lesson is that a future technology career may not even have “AI” in its job title. Once you know which career fields are emerging, the next question is what you should study to enter them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the emerging careers in the age of AI?

Emerging and rapidly expanding careers include AI and Machine Learning Specialists, FinTech Engineers, Software and Applications Developers, Big Data Specialists, Data Scientists, Information Security Analysts, DevOps Engineers, Robotics Engineers, Renewable Energy Engineers, semiconductor-related engineering roles and digital-health professionals.

Which careers are growing because of AI?

AI is directly increasing demand for AI and Machine Learning Specialists while also contributing to demand for data scientists, software developers, cybersecurity professionals and cloud infrastructure specialists. AI is also increasing demand for supporting industries such as semiconductors, robotics and digital healthcare.

What technology careers are in demand in Malaysia?

Malaysia's MyCOL 2024/2025 identifies Software Developers, Data Professionals, Cyber Security Professionals and Electronic Engineers among its 66 critical occupations.

Are technology careers still in demand despite AI?

Current labour-market projections show both job creation and displacement occurring simultaneously. The World Economic Forum projects 170 million jobs to be created and 92 million displaced globally by 2030, resulting in a net increase of 78 million jobs.

What industries are creating technology opportunities in Malaysia?

Malaysia is developing technology-related opportunities across AI and digital services, data centres, semiconductors, financial technology, smart manufacturing, renewable energy and medical devices. These industries have attracted significant investment and are generating demand for technical and digital talent.

Do emerging technology careers require a technology degree?

The academic route depends on the career. The courses listed in this article are examples of courses associated with the respective fields, but specific entry requirements and qualifications vary by occupation and employer.