A technology expert, Odeyeyiwa Olayemi, has offered insights into building a successful career in today’s global economy, which is driven largely by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology.
- +Expert explains how to build career in AI, tech-driven global economy
Olayemi explained that this requires a strategic blend of continuous technical upskilling, adaptability, and emotional intelligence, stressing that this has become necessary in the present digital age.
Olayemi explained that this requires a strategic blend of continuous technical upskilling, adaptability, and emotional intelligence, stressing that this has become necessary in the present digital age.
Olayemi, who is the managing director and chief executive officer of Repton Group, was keynote speaker at Lagos Career Fair 2026, which had as theme, ‘Building a Winning Career in today’s Technology- and AI-Driven Global Economy.’
Repton Group is a conglomerate with subsidiaries, including Kazab Heritage Limited (for distribution); Defrost Ventures Limited (for haulage and logistics); Kazab Oil and Gas; Heritage Engineering Services Limited, and Kazab Homes and Properties.
The CEO advised that as AI, automation, and digital platforms transform industries, workers must change or pivot from routine tasks towards roles that require human-AI collaboration.
“This step becomes imperative because research confirms that by 2030, nearly 90 percent of jobs will require digital skills. The emerging trends clearly show that new technologies, including AI, will definitely have both positive and negative impacts on careers on global economy,” he noted.
“A recent research report by Nexford University says anyone who doesn’t know that artificial intelligence will affect jobs and careers between 2026 and 2030 must definitely be living under a rock,” he added.
According to him, a major recurrent question is whether or not AI will enhance careers and global economy or disrupt them, noting that this is a controversial subject that has proponents and opponents on both sides of the divide.
Olayemi explained that many market research analysts say AI has the potential to bring about numerous positive changes in society, including enhanced productivity, improved healthcare, and increased access to education, but called for immediate adaptability.
He pointed out that people, especially those working in human work types of jobs that are manually repetitive, assert that AI and robotics technologies are a disruptive force when it comes to the future of jobs or careers because they are merely set to steal jobs and disrupt careers.
“Building a winning career in today’s technology- and AI-driven global economy requires a deliberate and strategic transition from viewing AI and other technologies as competitors to treating them as collaborative partners. In 2026, AI is transforming roles across all sectors rather than just eliminating them, with a shift from ‘human vs machine’ to ‘human x machine’ orchestration.
“In other words, it will be wiser to embrace AI and other technologies as powerful tools that can both enhance and elevate your talents rather than completely replace them, and to stop being afraid of them,” he advised.
According to him, the people whose professions are genuinely future-proofed are those who understand how to collaborate with AI, adding that thriving in this environment demands a combination of technical fluency, uniquely-human skills and continuous rapid learning.
He advised further that, to be able to strategically build a future-proof winning career in today’s technology-driven global economy, people need to be proactive to technological change, build a ‘T-shaped’ career profile, embrace continuous learning, engage in self-positioning and master essential high-impact skills.
