Almost every industry is experiencing skills gaps and talent shortages. Increasingly, these industries are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to address these shortfalls. According to the IBM Global AI Adoption Index 2022 survey, almost one in four companies adopting AI are doing so to combat labor or skills shortages. For example, Xaba, a Toronto-based intelligent automation startup, uses AI and 3-D printing to create car frames from sustainable materials, aiming to bridge the talent gap in manufacturing. Xaba’s CEO, Max Moruzzi, notes that the challenge lies in changing the perception of manufacturing jobs from temporary work to meaningful careers. AI and automation, according to Moruzzi, are transforming the types of talent that companies can attract. Xaba’s technology enables workers to guide machines through voice commands, promoting collaboration between humans and AI for production and problem solving. The adoption of AI and emerging technologies is seen as a solution to address labor shortages in physically demanding jobs across various industries. AI is recognized for its ability to enhance worker productivity and reduce barriers to entry by emphasizing communication skills over technical expertise. However, the adoption of AI has its consequences, affecting white-collar workers more than manual laborers, according to Joel Blit, a professor of economics. The integration of AI requires reskilling employees to work effectively with these technologies. Instead of merely replacing jobs, the adoption of AI is shaping a more talented workforce and changing the nature of job roles.