How is artificial intelligence changing the labor market? Many will lose their jobs!

This article is published for Kosovo, but which has value for Albania. It’s worth reading to find out where we are going with it.

-Bothed on Radio Free Europe-

The highest salaries in Kosovo are in the information technology sector. But many tasks in this sector can already be performed by artificial intelligence (IA). The International Labor Organization warns that no profession is completely safe, but experts in the field see it more as help than a risk.

For more than a decade, Lend Kelmendi has entered the world of information and communication technology.

From the time he had started his career so far, which holds the position of Director of Engineering at the Box Company, much has changed.

« It was one of the versions of the chatgpt that, when it came out, you could say it helped you work, » Kelmendi told Radio Free Europe.

The first artificial intelligence programs were not perfect, Kelmendi says. But over time, they have become an increasingly important part of his work and his colleagues.

For Albi Hoti, Programmer, Artificial Intelligence (IA) has been part of his work since his career, about two and a half years ago.

« We know that IA learns, it learns from us. The more we use it, the more it learns from its users. So it is a great help, » Hoti says.

What do they use for? To solve different problems in their work, to perform tasks that do not require much creativity…

But a report published this week by the World Labor Organization (ILO) warns that more and more tasks of this sector – and not only – can be performed by artificial intelligence.

What does this mean? That some professions in the future may become unnecessary.

The ILO report states that one in four workers worldwide is engaged in a profession that is at risk of being replaced by artificial intelligence.

The most vulnerable are said to be those who have higher incomes and are employed in richer countries.

Besnik Rama, executive director of the November and Artificial Intelligence Lecturer, explains how technology has previously replaced physical work with various cars, but has now begun replacing « intellectual works ».

« Every profession will be affected by IA, some more and some less. However, all professions will be facilitated in doing their work by IA, » Rama told Rel.

He foresees that artificial intelligence in the future to designate medical therapy, to give legal advice…

« And, especially, the programmers will be among the most affected by IA, » he adds.

What to do in the face of this danger? Rama has two tips: Accept the IA as part of the reality and embrace it and learn how to incorporate it into your work.

« Programmers will not be destroyed by IA. However, IA will make their job simpler, both in the speed of problem solving and in the quality of development, » he says.

The information and communication sector employs nearly 13,000 people in Kosovo, according to the Kosovo Tax Administration data for January 2025. Of these, about eight thousand are boys, while most are from 15 to 34 years old.

The average gross salary in this sector is 1.177 euros, but software developers reach much higher salaries.

Aldo Baxhaku, also a public communication officer at the Kosovo Information and Communication Technology Association (StTIK), says the focus should be on replacement skills, not professions.

« If in the position you are, he only performs the template, repetitive, routine tasks and does not play a role of creativity or critical thinking, exposure to automation or replacement by IA is high, » Baxhaku tells Rel.

He says that information technology companies in Kosovo are specialized in providing creative solutions, which he says « IA, at least at least, cannot effectively replace them. »

The cause of the young population of Kosovo, especially those engaged in this sector, Baxhaku is convinced that the potential in Kosovo to adapt to such changes is high.

Rama and Baxhaku agree at one point: who does not want to be replaced by artificial intelligence or lag behind, must make it part of the work process.

This is already happening in many companies in Kosovo, they say two, as in the planning, recruitment, audio-visual content, etc.

The director of engineering in the box, Kelmendi, says that there are some things that IA does not know how to do.

« If we talk about solving problems that have not appeared before, IA does not know how to solve them, » he says.

So, he says that the only engineers to be replaced are « engineers who will not use IA ».

Doruntina Baftiu