The accelerating advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is redefining the global employment landscape. Leading reports from PwC, McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, and the World Economic Forum project that by 2050, AI may influence up to 26% of global GDP. By 2030, as many as 30% of existing roles could be automated — rising to 50% by 2045. Furthermore, 60% of current occupations will require significant reconfiguration, and early adopters of AI-driven tools and skills may realise income gains of up to 40%.
We are no longer in the early stages of the AI revolution; rather, we are now entering a period of exponential transformation. Profound shifts are underway in the nature of work, with wage patterns increasingly reflecting the evolving demand for specific skill sets.
In light of this trajectory, students can no longer afford to select degree programmes without serious consideration of three critical factors:
- The structural changes brought about by AI and technological disruption;
- The redefinition of human roles within increasingly automated environments;
- The long-term salary implications and career sustainability of their chosen field.
Source: iStock
Under Pressure: Degree Programmes Facing Income Decline
According to a recent Newsweek report, many formerly popular university majors are now experiencing downward pressure on graduate salaries. Specific examples include:
- Communications majors saw a 3% year-on-year decline in starting pay;
- Social sciences graduates experienced a 3.6% decrease over the same period.
An article from CNBC, citing data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, highlights several of the least financially rewarding degrees by median annual income [1]:
- Foreign Languages: USD $40,000
- General Social Sciences: USD $41,000
- Performing Arts, Anthropology, Early Childhood Education, Sociology, Theology and Religious Studies: USD $42,000
*For reference, the overall median annual wage in the United States was USD $48,060 as of 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. [2]
The impact of AI on the labour market is uneven but gathering pace. Tasks that are repetitive or rules-based — such as data entry and basic customer support — are increasingly being handled by chatbots and AI-powered agents. Platforms like Harvey AI and CoCounsel AI are now capable of drafting legal documents and conducting paralegal-level research. While roles requiring high-level judgement and complex decision-making may persist for longer, entry-level positions — once seen as reliable stepping stones into professional sectors — are under increasing threat.
Source: iStock
Focus: Communications Degrees Under Scrutiny
The communications degree offers a particularly illustrative example of this trend. Once a go-to option for students seeking careers in media, corporate communications, and public relations, the qualification now faces declining demand and stagnant wage growth. Industry experts attribute this shift to several key factors:
- Oversaturation of Graduates: The number of communications degree holders now exceeds market demand.
- Automation of Core Tasks: Tools such as ChatGPT, Jasper, and Copy.ai can automate much of the routine work traditionally carried out by junior communications professionals — including content writing, social media management, and customer engagement.
- Erosion of Differentiated Value: Employers are increasingly prioritising candidates with niche expertise in digital marketing, SEO, and data analytics — competencies that many general communications programmes do not sufficiently address.
What do professionals in the field have to say? A recent Newsweek article captured these perspectives [3]:
Bryan Driscoll, HR Consultant:
“Salaries for communications graduates are falling largely because employers believe they can. There’s a growing perception that AI can handle much of the work in this field. Why hire a skilled human communicator to craft messages and connect with audiences when you can prompt an algorithm to do it for you?”
Alex Beene, Financial Literacy Instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin:
“The drop in entry-level pay for communications graduates reflects several challenges. Communications roles are often among the first to be cut when companies downsize, as they’re seen as functions that can be streamlined. Unfortunately, this is happening at a time when graduates are grappling with rising living costs and broader financial pressures.”
Source: iStock
Taken together, these insights paint a concerning picture: communications graduates are entering an oversupplied job market where wages are under strain, just as AI technology begins to automate the very tasks that once defined the profession. Without specialised digital or analytical skill sets, many risk being left behind in an increasingly competitive and tech-driven employment environment.
Reference:
1. Federal Reserve Bank of New York
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. One of the Most Popular College Majors Is Seeing Salaries Decline: Report
https://www.newsweek.com/communications-one-most-popular-college-majors-seeing-salaries-decline-2059590