ServiceNow made several major announcements on day 2 of Knowledge 2025, including the introduction of the new Core Business Suite designed to transform business functions and scale operations, the acquisition of data.world, and a next-generation CRM that will enable businesses to automate processes and deliver enhanced solutions to their customers. But before all these innovations, one critical question arises: will these AI tools lead to job cuts, or will they drive demand for AI-ready talent, making AI one of the most essential skills for future employment?
Bill McDermott, Chairman and CEO of ServiceNow, spoke with Moneycontrol about the evolving job landscape and why AI knowledge is becoming a key skill for securing a job in the future.
AI and the hiring crisis
McDermott offered a stark warning: the future of jobs will be dominated by artificial intelligence, and those without relevant skills risk being left behind.
“You can’t hire what isn’t there. You can’t hire a ghost… they didn’t learn AI,” McDermott told Moneycontrol, pointing to a growing mismatch between industry needs and workforce capabilities. He cited figures indicating that up to 50% of AI-related roles in the US alone may go unfilled this year, while 75% of global AI jobs in major economies could face the same fate.
McDermott tied this shortfall to a broader issue plaguing the IT sector: an estimated 10 million skilled roles across the global tech ecosystem are expected to remain vacant because of a lack of qualified professionals.
AI as a survival strategy
Describing AI as a “gateway to prosperity,” McDermott didn’t mince words about the urgency: “Corporations that don’t get on board with AI right now will fail… and if they are around, they won’t be interesting to work for.” He positioned AI adoption as a competitive edge and a prerequisite for long-term survival in business.
To help close the skills gap, McDermott said ServiceNow is investing in training and certification initiatives for its platform, via its ServiceNow University platform, allowing learners to “get certified, get a diploma, and use those skills to get those jobs in the global economy.”
“You don’t have to work for us,” he added, “but if you want to, you’ll be competing with the other 1.7 million people who’ve applied this year.”
For McDermott, the AI era isn’t coming—it’s already here. And those who fail to engage with it, either at the company or individual level, may not get another chance.“If you missed it, you’re close to retirement—cause it won’t be a good scene.”
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