“New Collar” workers are becoming more important in emerging fields like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. 

“New Collar” workers are becoming more important in emerging fields like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Like “blue collar,” the term encompasses the idea that skilled workers—not necessarily just ones with college degrees—who can handle high-tech machines will have opportunities in the changing job market, even as automation and AI threaten traditional employment. Employers are increasingly using skills-based filters on platforms like LinkedIn to find diverse candidates—helping promote innovative approaches to hiring and training in industries like electric vehicles. However, some critics argue that this framing might be a way to “downplay workers’ anxiety” and uncertainty in the face of technological advancements. YPulse’s AI Unpacked trend report shows more than four in five young people think AI will impact their job opportunities in the future—but that doesn’t necessarily mean a negative impact. (NYT)