Artificial intelligence and the future of professions: Features of career guidance work with schoolchildren

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the labor market and to explore its implications for career guidance among school students. The research aims to identify strategies for effectively integrating AI into career counseling practices in order to promote informed, flexible, and future-oriented career decisions in the context of rapid technological transformation. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining a theoretical review of psychological, pedagogical, and scientific literature with empirical research. The literature analysis refined the concepts of “career guidance” and “artificial intelligence” and identified disappearing and emerging professions shaped by AI-driven automation. To assess students’ perspectives, an original questionnaire titled The Impact of AI on the Labor Market was developed. It explored perceptions of AI’s influence on employment, awareness of key skills, and readiness for retraining. The empirical survey involved 133 high school students in Astana, Kazakhstan. The findings demonstrate limited awareness among students of AI-related opportunities and risks, as well as insufficient attention to the development of essential competencies such as creativity, soft skills, and critical thinking. While students acknowledged the inevitability of professional transformation, their preparedness for adaptation varied considerably. Conclusion. Integrating AI into career guidance is crucial to ensure that future generations acquire the competencies, flexibility, and resilience necessary to thrive in the era of digital transformation.