What 3 jobs will survive AI? Nicole Cacal’s insight for Hawai’i – KHON2

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HONOLULU (KHON2) — Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, recently shared his predictions about the future of work in an AI-dominated world. According to Gates, only three types of jobs are likely to thrive: AI specialists, energy industry workers and certain healthcare professionals.

However, this view is far from the end of the conversation. In fact, in Hawai‘i, the future of work — which will be shaped by technology and artificial intelligence (AI) — has raised new questions and sparked innovative thinking.

Nicole Cacal, executive director of the TRUE Initiative, a nonprofit organization in Hawai‘i, has been deeply involved in fostering tech innovation across the state.

Cacal, who helps businesses develop technology strategies and increase tech job opportunities, recently shared her take on how Hawai‘i can shape its workforce in an age of rapid technological advancement.

The three jobs Bill Gates believes will survive AI

During a conversation on a podcast hosted by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Gates predicted that AI will create massive changes in the job market.

According to Gates, AI specialists, alternative energy workers, and specialized healthcare professionals will have lasting, vital roles.

His reasoning was simple: these fields require skills and knowledge that machines are not likely to replace.

AI specialists

Gates emphasized the importance of AI specialists. These are individuals trained to develop, implement and maintain AI systems. These professionals will be needed to design the technologies that drive automation, deep analysis and machine learning.

As AI becomes more integrated into various industries, the demand for AI experts will only grow.

“AI specialists hold a unique skill set that will be in high demand,” Gates said. “These individuals are crucial in shaping our technological future.”

Energy industry workers

Gates also predicted that the energy sector, particularly those involved in renewable energy like solar, wind and nuclear power, will see increased job growth. The global push for sustainability and climate change mitigation means energy professionals will be needed to optimize energy production and consumption.

As AI aids in energy management, workers in this field will continue to be essential to maintaining and improving energy efficiency.

Gates pointed out that “AI will help these workers optimize energy usage, predict failures and streamline production.”

Healthcare professionals

Finally, Gates highlighted healthcare as a field that will thrive with AI integration. Although AI can enhance medical practices through tools for diagnosis, treatment planning and more, it will not replace the human element.

“Technology will complement, not replace, caregivers,” Gates said.

Healthcare workers, such as doctors, nurses, health informaticists, and even AI ethicists, will continue to be in demand. Their ability to connect with patients and offer personal care will remain essential, even as AI tools support their work.

However, this is not taking into account the full AI driven hospitals that beginning to pop up throughout Asia.

Nicole Cacal’s perspective on Hawai‘i’s workforce development

While Gates’s predictions are insightful, Cacal brings a localized and nuanced approach to Hawai‘i’s future workforce.

She acknowledged the concerns about AI replacing routine jobs but emphasized that AI could also create new opportunities, particularly in the areas of ethics, data analysis and machine learning engineering.

“AI is not just about replacing jobs; it’s about creating new job opportunities, too,” Cacal said. “AI will need ethical frameworks, data analysis and people who can think creatively about how to use technology to solve human challenges. And these roles will require workers who are skilled in these emerging areas.”

The importance of creativity and Empathy in a tech-driven world

One of Cacal’s most compelling points is that while understanding AI’s capabilities is crucial, it is not the only skill that will determine future success.

She emphasized creativity, empathy and human-centered design as essential skills for navigating an AI-driven world.

“Humans excel at contextualizing problems,” Cacal explained. “We understand how to connect with users, solve their problems and craft creative solutions, all of which AI cannot do on its own.”

She further elaborated on how product managers — who are responsible for translating human needs into technological solutions — will play a key role in the future.

“Product managers who understand the basics of AI can integrate algorithmic insights into human-centered product roadmaps,” she said. “It’s not just about creating AI for the sake of creating it; it’s about aligning those solutions with real human needs.”

How Hawai‘i can prepare for an AI future

As the conversation about AI and workforce development continues, Cacal believes Hawai‘i is well-positioned to integrate both technology and human creativity into its future economy.

“In Hawai‘i, we need not just to create tech solutions for the sake of solutions but to solve real human challenges,” Cacal said.

She stressed the importance of community-based design, where local voices and perspectives are considered when developing technological solutions.

“If we’re going to implement a technological solution, we must talk to people, gather qualitative data and make sure we are addressing actual needs,” she explained.

The role of education and workforce development

As Cacal highlighted, the foundation of a successful future workforce in Hawai‘i lies in how we educate and train the next generation. She warned that it’s not enough to simply rely on traditional education systems without integrating technology into the learning process.

“You can’t ignore tech skills, but you also can’t ignore human development,” she said. “It’s about balance.”

Cacal believes that kids today, like those in their early teens, will have to balance both tech and human development.

“If we teach kids to stay away from screens, phones and video games, they won’t be prepared for the workforce in 10 years,” Cacal said. “On the flip side, we can’t have them on devices all the time either. There’s a middle ground where they develop critical thinking, creativity and technological awareness.”

The key, she said, is to provide students with exposure to both technology and real-world human issues.

“Students need to learn how to synthesize ideas, make non-obvious connections and understand how to apply technology to real-world problems,” Cacal said. “This is how we’ll create the next generation of solutions that we might not even be thinking about yet.”

The future of Hawai‘i’s workforce

As AI continues to shape the job market, Hawai‘i faces unique challenges and opportunities. By focusing on human-centered tech design, creativity and a deep understanding of AI’s role, Hawai‘i can carve out its own path to a prosperous future.

Cacal’s vision is one where Hawai‘i’s workforce is ready not just to survive in an AI-driven world, but one that thrives in it.

“AI is going to augment what we do in probably every facet of our lives,” she said. “It’s not about whether AI will replace jobs. It’s about how we will use it to enhance our capabilities and solve real human problems. And that’s where Hawai‘i can lead.”

Ultimately, Cacal’s perspective reminds us that the future of work is more than technology. It’s about humans finding new ways to collaborate with AI, using creativity, empathy and innovation to shape a better world.

You can click here to learn more about TRUE Initiative.

In a world where AI’s potential can seem overwhelming, it’s important to remember that technology is not the end of human work. It’s the beginning of new opportunities. By embracing this balance, Hawai‘i can build a workforce ready to thrive, not just survive, in the future.