In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has profoundly transformed the job market. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, many professions are undergoing significant changes, with some roles being particularly vulnerable to replacement by AI.
Among the most at-risk sectors are data analysis, basic programming, digital marketing, and financial management. However, some professions retain strong human value and, rather than being replaced by AI, could be enhanced by it.
Which professions are most at risk?
The Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights three categories of jobs in relation to AI:
- High risk: Data analysts, writers, marketers, junior programmers, and accountants. While these roles remain essential, they rely heavily on data processing and repetitive patterns—tasks AI can handle more efficiently than humans.
- AI as an assistant: IT professionals, logistics experts, and cybersecurity analysts. According to the report, the probability of replacement ranges from 40% to 20%. These professions require strong analytical and decision-making skills, as well as the ability to interpret complex contexts and solve problems creatively.
- Low probability of replacement and safe from AI: Manual and artisanal jobs, with only a 13% probability of replacement according to the report. These include creatives, high-quality product inventors, teachers, therapists, electricians, environmental experts, and chefs. Such jobs rely on deep human capabilities that AI cannot replicate, such as emotional understanding, social interaction, creativity, and manual dexterity.
Craftsmanship: A Human and Irreplaceable Job
Shaping materials, perceiving the texture of leather, and creating unique, customised prototypes are skills that AI cannot replicate. In the footwear and leather goods industry, the precision and sensitivity of artisans are fundamental to producing top-quality products.
The manual work involved in shoemaking and bag-making is among those safe from AI. The skills required to create high-quality shoes and bags—from selecting and processing materials to manually cutting leather, hand-stitching, and custom assembly—depend on intuition, sensitivity, and human experience, elements AI cannot fully replicate. While AI can support certain stages of the production process, it cannot replace the creativity and craftsmanship necessary to produce unique and bespoke products.
Made in Italy, synonymous with quality and tradition, is built on this artisanal expertise. Italian shoes and bags are globally recognised for their uniqueness and attention to detail—qualities that no machine can fully reproduce. The value of an artisanal product lies in its uniqueness, the use of premium materials, and the expertise passed down through generations.
How can AI support artisans?
Artificial intelligence can become a valuable ally for artisans. How?
- Design and prototyping: Advanced 3D modelling software helps create virtual prototypes, reducing material waste and speeding up development times.
- Trend analysis: AI can analyse vast amounts of data to identify emerging market trends, helping artisans innovate their collections.
- Personalisation: AI can collect customer data to create bespoke products while maintaining artisanal excellence.
- Automation of repetitive tasks: Some industrial operations, such as leather cutting or standardised stitching, can be entrusted to intelligent machines, allowing artisans to focus on more complex and creative processes.
Training young people in the craftsmanship of the future
Despite the digital revolution, the craftsmanship sector still needs new generations of professionals. Initiatives like the MICAM Academy, organised with MICAM—the international trade fair dedicated to fashion and footwear in Milan—aim to pass on artisanal skills to young people, integrating them with new technologies.
Through courses and workshops, young people can learn the secrets of Italian manufacturing and discover how innovation can enhance their work without altering its essence.
“By 2028, there will be 75,000 job vacancies in fashion. The most sought-after professionals are specialised technicians in footwear and leather goods manufacturing, as well as prototype makers, designers, graphic artists, and pattern makers for fur production and industrialisation technicians” – TPF-ThePlatform on Linkedin.com.
AI is redefining many professions, but the value of craftsmanship remains intact. Made in Italy will continue to be synonymous with quality and authenticity thanks to the fusion of tradition and innovation. Future artisans will not only need to preserve historical skills but also learn to use AI as a support tool. In an increasingly technological world, the human touch will be the true key to success.
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