According to 2025 World Economic Forum data, Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör stated that future professions are being shaped around digitalization and artificial intelligence, saying, “In this process, while some professions or business forms will completely disappear, some professions will shine, and new professions and business forms will emerge. Artificial intelligence-focused engineering fields will shine.”
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör also added that big data expertise will take center stage among future professions, stating, “Since the functioning of artificial intelligence entirely relies on data, data expertise is progressing towards becoming the star of the future. Fields such as software, computer, and cybersecurity are also rapidly coming to the forefront.”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör evaluated future professions.
Future professions are shaping around digitalization and artificial intelligence
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, referring to the data presented at the 2025 World Economic Forum, said, “According to this data, future professions are shaping up around digitalization and artificial intelligence. In this process, while some professions or business forms may completely disappear, some professions will shine, and new professions and business forms will emerge. The World Economic Forum data indicates that artificial intelligence-focused engineering fields will shine.”
Big data expertise will take a prominent place among future professions
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, noting that big data expertise will take a prominent place among future professions, said, “This process has already begun. Data has become the most important capital of today’s society. Since artificial intelligence operates entirely on data, data expertise is advancing towards becoming the star of the future. This data-driven trend, in line with digitalization, also creates an environment for fields such as software, computer, and cybersecurity to rapidly come to the forefront.”
Professions like banking, accounting, and cashiering will fundamentally change
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör stated that the automation process is rapidly progressing towards the future with a focus on artificial intelligence, saying, “Accordingly, it is clear that the work and operating methods in the banking sector will undergo significant change. Additionally, we can observe significant changes in professional fields such as financial affairs, accounting, and cashiering. Furthermore, we are witnessing the rapid spread of computer-based payment transactions in supermarkets today. With this trend, it seems likely that the work of cashiers will largely shift from humans to machines within the next five years.”
Artificial intelligence is also at work in recruitments
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör stated that with the introduction of digitalization and artificial intelligence technologies, work and operating methods in the human resources field are also moving towards mechanization, adding, “Today, we see that artificial intelligence is mostly used in recruitment in Western countries, and such practices have started in some large companies in Turkey. Therefore, we are moving towards a future where digital technologies, especially artificial intelligence, will be effectively used in almost all areas of social and business life.”
Agricultural and food engineering fields are becoming attractive again
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör pointed out that such rapid technological development and the impact of these developments on every aspect of life also bring some serious problems, continuing as follows:
“Problems such as environmental pollution, nature being under threat, global warming, and the chemical-focused food industry are seriously endangering the future of the world and humanity. Fortunately, as the danger increases, so does awareness. This also reveals the necessity for humanity to initiate a recovery process. In this direction, strategies such as the development and introduction of nature-friendly technologies, the development of the organic food industry, and the creation of environmentally friendly urban and settlement plans have also begun to be developed. Accordingly, we see that farming and agriculture are regaining value. Therefore, agricultural and food engineering fields are becoming attractive again.”
Philosophy and literature departments at universities are not attracting interest
On the other hand, Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör also emphasized that the prominence of technology and its influence in all areas of life are causing professional fields related to intellectual and artistic creativity to gradually lose momentum, continuing as follows:
“I believe the real danger is concentrated at this point. Making tasks easier, doing more work in less time, and increasing productivity in the business and working world are certainly good things for development. However, it also seems possible that this mechanization process will have a negative impact on people's emotional and spiritual development. It is futile to expect 'humane futures' from individuals who are increasingly detached from nature, isolated, and alienated in an urban life environment enveloped by technology.
Of course, every era produces its own cultural forms and develops its own lifestyle. Every period of human history has presented a unique human, social, and cultural character. However, humanity has never before alienated itself so much, nor been so captivated by the allure of the material world. There are important indicators of this at micro and macro levels. If university philosophy and literature departments are not attracting interest in recent years, there is no need to look for another reason. Likewise, if countries/states allocate most of their resources to defense and armaments, there is no need to look for another reason. If our surroundings are in bloodshed, there is no need to look for another reason. Humanity supposedly left behind periods of barbarism and entered an era of civilization. But nothing has changed. The rules of the game are the same; only the apparatuses have changed. Moreover, the problem continues to deepen. People are trying to establish their existence through the destruction of others. People have long ceased debating around the motto of 'to be or not to be.' Now, the issue is 'to remain or to perish.'”
Necessary measures must be taken to prevent our own technology from governing us
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör also noted the need to keep pace with the world's developments, stating, “Let's educate ourselves in new professional fields with technological advancements. Educational institutions must reorganize their curricula according to new developments and future needs. However, on the other hand, we must consider what we need to do to prevent machines from gaining supremacy in the face of all these technological developments. We must take necessary measures to ensure that our own technology does not govern us. Since this planet we live on is made up of humans, then all forms of construction must also be done by humans. For the world to be built in a manner befitting humanity, it is essential for humans to choose to remain human. For this, we must develop in technology, but we must not abandon art, literature, and philosophy. Therefore, we must not abandon ourselves, our humanity.” she concluded.
