Artificial intelligence is already shifting the balance in the labor market, even within the world’s largest consulting firms. Paul Griggs, CEO of PwC US, highlights a clear trend: hiring for traditional consultants and accountants is declining, while demand for specialists in AI, data analysis, and machine learning is surging.
Shifting Skills, Not Eliminating Roles
Despite hiring fewer traditional consultants than two years ago, Griggs does not believe AI threatens the future of established professions. Instead, he argues it transforms the required skill set. According to PwC’s AI Jobs Barometer 2026, roles where AI augments human expertise are growing at twice the rate of those where the technology merely allows non-experts to perform tasks.
The report, which analyzed over one billion job postings globally, indicates that wages in AI-enhanced roles have been rising significantly faster since 2021. Griggs estimates that AI is generating substantial business value, leading to the strongest pipeline of new projects in PwC’s history.
The Rise of Humanities in the Tech Era
One of the most notable predictions from the PwC chief is the increasing importance of humanities graduates. As AI handles more technical tasks, the value of interdisciplinary knowledge and critical thinking grows. The firm is increasingly hiring professionals from non-traditional academic backgrounds, seeking those capable of solving complex, multifaceted problems.
To support this transition, PwC is investing heavily in executive education through prestigious partnerships:
- A leadership program with Harvard Business School for approximately 4,000 partners.
- Specialized AI training developed with Wharton professor Ethan Mollick to enhance client service.
Griggs remains a strong advocate for MBA programs, viewing them as vital for fostering curiosity, continuous learning, and the problem-solving abilities required in the AI era.
