Whiteshield & Google @ Davos 2025

During the World Economic Forum, Whiteshield & Google unveiled the report on the resilience of labour, titled Global Labour Resilience Index 2025: The Transformative Impact of AI on Economies & Labour Markets.

AI Reshaping Global Labour Markets

Whiteshield has unveiled the 9th edition of the Global Labour Resilience Index 2025 in collaboration with Google during an exclusive private event in Davos. Published in partnership with CEMS, the report draws on data from over 70 indicators to assess how 118 countries adapt their labour markets to external shocks, including the rapid rise of AI. While nations like the United States and Singapore are primed to thrive, the report warns that many countries risk being left behind.

The event, “The Transformative Impact of AI on Economies and Labour Markets,” was chaired by Nobel Laureate Sir Christopher Pissarides, Special Advisor and Director at Whiteshield. It also featured prominent speakers, including Anna Koivunuemi, Head of Google DeepMind Impact Accelerator, and convened over 50 senior policymakers, CEOS, academics, and international organisations.

Key Insights from the GLRI 2025

The report emphasises how AI is transforming labour markets, showing that the strongest economies combine traditional policies with strategic investments in AI and advanced data strategies. The United States and Singapore lead the 2025 rankings due to their entrepreneurial spirit, adaptable labour markets, and focus on AI innovation. Sweden closely follows, backed by its investments in education and research.
Countries in South Asia the Middle East, and North Africa (MENA) are also progressing, with India, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia gaining from AI-related initiatives. However, the gap between top-performing and struggling nations continues to grow, leaving regions like Sub-Saharan Africa particularly vulnerable.

The Dual Impact of AI: Opportunities and Challenges

AI is creating exciting opportunities to improve our work, making jobs more accessible, efficient, and high-quality. It’s also opening up new careers, like designing how people interact with AI systems, building ethical guidelines for AI use, and organizing AI data. However, AI also brings challenges, such as some jobs being replaced, pay gaps growing, and job security feeling less certain. The report stresses the importance of thoughtful planning and policies to make sure everyone benefits from these advancements.

GLRI Highlights:

• United States: Leads in AI investment and innovation, with 60% of global AI investments in the past decade and a quarter of the world’s AI startups.
• Singapore: Combines strong governance with strategic AI investments, excelling in governance, digital skills, and entrepreneurship.
• Sweden: Demonstrates resilience through substantial investments in education and research.
• Sub-Saharan Africa: Despite structural challenges, the region’s young, growing population presents the potential for an AI-driven leap in resilience.
• MENA: Shows progress in AI adoption, with GCC nations outperforming others in the region.

The report urges governments and leaders to take action by adopting AI-driven strategies tailored to the needs of their people. It highlights the importance of investing in digital tools and education to build stronger, more adaptable job markets. Without action, gaps between communities may grow, vulnerable groups could lose out, and opportunities for progress might be missed. Now is the moment to use AI’s power to create job markets that are fair, inclusive, and full of opportunities for everyone.