"The career ladder is broken": Chen Qiufan at the National Centre RUSSIA

The job market is closing its doors to newcomers, demanding ready-made specialists and unique employees. This was stated in a podcast of the Open Dialogue "OD on Air" by science fiction writer, President of the China Science Fiction Writers Association, and co-author of the bestseller "AI 2041," Chen Qiufan.

"The main problem is the disappearance of entry-level vacancies for aspiring specialists. The absence of junior positions means no practice, no skill development, and no real experience. Without this, people cannot rise to the level of senior managers and top executives. The career ladder is broken, and we don't understand how to solve this problem. I tell my students that in the future they will have to create jobs for themselves because the market will offer no entry-level vacancies in any industry. Employers will give preference to experienced specialists with unique skills and expertise that artificial intelligence cannot surpass, or simply those with excellent personal qualities that enable such employees to boost team spirit within an organisation. This is about unique personal positioning. We will have to rethink the entire career process," said Chen Qiufan.

Science fiction writer, President of the China Science Fiction Writers Association, and co-author of the bestseller "AI 2041," Chen Qiufan, was a speaker at the January Expert Dialogues. The futurologist discussed how artificial intelligence is transitioning from science fiction into reality and transforming humanity, society, and perceptions of the future. In particular, he addressed the role of imagination, culture, and ethics in AI development.

The full episode of the podcast "OD on Air" featuring Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia Maxim Oreshkin and Chen Qiufan is available to watch on the National Centre RUSSIA website or on VKontakte.