What are the two most promising industries for the future? Who needs to transition early? Lu Ming's analysis

China Economic Net Beijing, April 3 (Reporter Zhu Xiaohang) — Lu Ming, Dean of the China Development Research Institute at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, recently stated in an interview with China Economic Net’s “Deep Talk” program that in the future, the two major fields of high technology and services may become the main battlegrounds for income growth. At the same time, he warned to be vigilant about employment risks during structural adjustments.

Lu Ming said that, based on the laws of economic development, there are two types of industries most likely to achieve rapid income growth in the future. The first is the high-tech sector that aligns with the global and Chinese economic development trends, with emerging tracks represented by artificial intelligence and the expansion of new consumer fields showing significant momentum, providing ample income growth potential for related practitioners; the second is the service industry, which, as the national “Invest in People” strategy advances, will see income opportunities in fields such as healthcare, education, elderly care, childcare, as well as popular new service industries like concerts, cultural, and sports events, accompanying economic structural adjustments.

“Teachers in public education departments being incorporated into the management of the national public sector, with their income ensured not to be lower than that of civil servants, is a clear signal that the service industry is set to experience development opportunities,” Lu Ming added.

At the same time, Lu Ming emphasized that economic structural adjustment has a dual nature. While some industries grow and expand, others may face contraction; under the wave of technological progress, practitioners may face structural employment adjustments. He pointed out that currently, two major risks need special attention: one is that some overcapacity sectors will continue to exist; the other is that the development of artificial intelligence technology may replace standardized and routine jobs, posing career challenges for workers engaged in such roles.

Regarding individual strategies, Lu Ming provided specific advice. In terms of skill development, focus should be on core abilities that are difficult for artificial intelligence to replace, such as understanding, communication, expression, and aesthetic appreciation required in service scenarios, leveraging human-machine collaboration to empower capabilities and avoid the impact of artificial intelligence. In terms of career planning, personnel in overcapacity sectors should transition as early as possible, breaking the mindset of “one industry for a lifetime,” and actively adapting to changes in the employment market.