The Future of Skilled Labor: VR, AI, and the Rise of Lucrative Blue-Collar Jobs
Everyone’s talking about AI taking jobs… but what about the jobs AI is creating? In this episode of the Dauntless Podcast, we dive into how extended reality (XR) and artificial intelligence are not just reshaping the skilled labor market—they’re creating a wave of high-paying jobs most people aren’t even looking at yet. Watch the full episode to hear our conversation on the intersection of immersive technology, workforce transformation, and the future of hands-on work.
Meet the Guest: Devesh Jain
Devesh Jain is an XR entrepreneur and emerging technologies leader. He drives initiatives around XR, AI, and quantum technology at the World Economic Forum. Previously, he co-founded JioTesseract (acquired by Reliance Jio) and built the Global Collaboration Village, an XR platform for public-private decision-making. Outside of tech, Devesh produces electronic music, plays the handpan, and scuba dives.
How XR and AI Are Reshaping Skilled Trades
Devesh shares how XR and AI are transforming the skilled labor market. Instead of replacing jobs, these technologies are augmenting skilled workers, making training faster, more personalized, and more effective.
Key insight: “AI and XR aren’t just tools—they’re co-pilots for the next generation of skilled labor.”
Why Blue-Collar Jobs Are Becoming More Attractive
Historically, white-collar work was seen as the ultimate career goal. But as AI and XR make skilled trades more lucrative and high-tech, perceptions are shifting. These roles now offer hands-on work with cutting-edge technology and competitive pay.
Opportunities for Innovators in XR and AI
For founders and builders, the intersection of XR and AI is ripe with opportunity. Devesh highlights approaches like AI-assisted XR training and workflow automation for skilled trades. The most impactful solutions are hardware-agnostic, scalable, and focused on real-world user needs.
The Future of XR: What’s Next?
Devesh envisions a future where XR is seamlessly integrated into daily work and learning. He emphasizes the need for adaptable, user-friendly headsets and platforms. His dream headset? Lightweight, wireless, and packed with AI-driven features that support hands-free expertise.
Collaboration Across Industry, Policy, and Education
Widespread adoption of XR and AI in skilled trades requires collaboration between industry, policymakers, and educators. Devesh notes that overcoming barriers—like cost, access, and awareness—will take coordinated effort and innovative thinking.
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Want to Be a Guest?
If you’d like to be featured or know someone with a unique perspective on XR, drop us a note at hello@dauntlessxr.com.
