Impact of Technology on Economic Growth

When I read the latest job market data, one thought hit me: we’re not just cutting entry-level jobs — we’re dismantling the pipeline of future experts. In Q1 2025, Germany posted 45 % fewer entry-level jobs than the 5-year average (Stepstone). In sales alone, postings dropped by more than half. HR roles are down 50%, consulting by 39%, legal by 30%. The result? Young applicants now send around 40 applications to land one interview. At the same time, human-contact roles are booming — education jobs have nearly doubled, skilled trades are up 52%. AI is part of this story. It’s replacing many junior tasks: screening CVs, drafting legal documents, pulling first-round market research. But here’s the danger: if companies stop hiring at the bottom, who will grow into the seniors we’ll desperately need in ten years? Every expert I know had years of grunt work behind them. That’s how they learned judgment, intuition, and context — things AI still can’t replicate. I still remember the moment a manufacturer flipped the script. Instead of cutting junior analyst roles, they redesigned them. AI handled the first drafts of market reports. Juniors didn’t spend weeks buried in repetitive work — within their first month they were already presenting insights to the team. Seniors refined the output, juniors accelerated their learning, and suddenly the whole group moved at double speed. What struck me most wasn’t the productivity gain. It was watching juniors build judgment early on — the very foundation of future expertise. 👉 That’s the opportunity: not fewer entry-level jobs, but smarter ones. If AI replaces your entry-level jobs - who will you trust to lead in ten years?

Trade finance is the lifeblood of global #commerce and yet it is still largely based on decades-old, paper-based processes. Modernizing it is a colossal opportunity. Let’s take a look. #Tradefinance is essentially the financing of international trade flows and includes tools, techniques, and financial instruments to facilitate international trade by mitigating some of its inherent risks: 1) payment 2) delivery of goods and services. Some numbers: -   Studies converge that the global international #trade market is between $10 and $15 trillion (between 9.5% and 14.2% of global GDP) -   Around 80% of global trade uses trade finance (source: WTO) -   The global trade financing gap – which is the unmet demand from businesses that cannot facilitate imports and exports – exceeds $2 trillion    To understand the extent to which Trade Finance has not managed to modernize in decades (source: ICC): -   Trade parties, from importers and exporters to banks, customs and logistics institutions collectively create a huge amount of data -   Letters of Credit are the most complex: the end-to-end journey involves more than 20 players and more than 100 pages across 10 to 20 documents -   The interactions between these players and documents produce about 5,000 data field interactions The inefficiencies are unimaginable (source: ICC): -   Most of these interactions are duplicates of existing data and are not scrutinized or are sometimes ignored -   The share of this redundant data rises during the trade journey. In total only about 1% of data field interactions add value. Globally this is an estimated 200 billion data field interactions supporting trade finance All these translate into a huge potential to modernize, to digitize, to make use of #technology and to become more efficient. Some estimates: -   BCG estimates an integrated digital solution would save global trade banks between US$2.5 billion and US$6.0 billion on a cost base of US$12 billion to US$16 billion, with the potential to increase revenue by 20% -   A different ICC report commissioned for the G7 estimated that digitising the trade ecosystem could increase trade across the G7 by nearly $9 trillion or nearly 43% and create as much as $6 trillion in extra exports -   McKinsey estimates that adopting an electronic bill of lading could save $6.5 bn in direct costs and enable between $30 billion and $40 billion in new global trade volume These are some of the technologies to lead the disruption: -   Blockchain -   Artificial Intelligence -   Data Analytics -   Internet of Things -   Cloud infrastructure -   Smart contracts -   Modern banking and payments platforms The system is so complex and with so many stakeholders that change will be slow. However, simple wins based on interoperability, digitization and standardization could be the low-hanging fruits to start with. Opinions: my own, Graphic source & data insights: ICC 2018 global survey on trade finance

The expansion of robots and automation is poised to significantly transform the job market and has complex implications for inequality. What do you think? Impact on Jobs: 1. Job Displacement: Robots and automation are likely to replace repetitive, manual, and routine jobs (e.g., manufacturing, logistics, and data entry). Some middle-skill jobs may also be at risk as automation technologies become more sophisticated. 2. Job Creation: New roles will emerge in robotics maintenance, programming, AI development, and other tech-focused fields. Demand for human-centric jobs, such as healthcare, education, and creative industries, may increase as these areas are harder to automate. 3. Job Evolution: Many jobs will change in scope, requiring workers to collaborate with robots or leverage automation tools for productivity. Impact on Inequality: 1. Widening Skill Gap: Workers with higher education and tech-savvy skills are more likely to benefit, while those in low-skill jobs may struggle to adapt. This divergence could exacerbate income inequality if reskilling programs are not widespread. 2. Geographic Disparities: Advanced economies with resources to invest in automation could benefit more than developing countries, increasing global inequality. 3. Ownership of Technology: Concentration of robot and AI ownership among corporations and wealthy individuals might widen wealth disparities unless equitable policies (e.g., profit sharing, taxes) are implemented. Mitigating Inequality: 1. Education and Reskilling: Governments and companies need to invest in upskilling and reskilling workers to prepare them for the jobs of the future. 2. Universal Basic Income (UBI): UBI or similar safety nets could help address income gaps caused by job displacement. 3. Fair Policies: Regulations around labor, taxation, and profit sharing could ensure that the economic benefits of automation are distributed more equitably. 4. Support for Vulnerable Sectors: Strengthening social welfare systems and providing targeted support for industries and workers most at risk. Video: @discover_our_planet_ #Innovation #Technology #Inequality

Six and a half years ago, we introduced a simple yet radical idea: the state must work for the people, not the other way around. The Ministry of Digital Transformation didn’t just change perceptions of public services — we changed the very model of the state. In 2019, the President set the goal of building a “state in a smartphone.” Skeptics said it was impossible. Today, it’s an everyday reality for millions of Ukrainians. Every Ukrainian has felt the results of our work. Diia is a true lovemark for Ukrainians. Over 23 million users. Fewer lines, less paperwork, no bribes — over the years, Diia has saved the state and its citizens ₴184 billion. Fifty-eight percent of Ukrainians say outright: digitalization is the most effective way to fight corruption. Russia is destroying our telecom infrastructure, yet even so, we delivered what many considered “impossible”: 🔸 Ukraine ranks No. 1 globally for fixed internet stability. 🔸 97% 4G coverage. 🔸 8,000 villages and towns connected to the internet for the first time. 🔸 Ukraine is the first non-EU country to join EU roaming. 🔸 Starlink Direct to Cell. 🔸 5G in Lviv. Fifty thousand Starlink terminals provide connectivity at the front line, in hospitals, schools, and Points of Invincibility. UNITED24 has united the world around Ukraine. Last year alone, the platform raised $1.86 billion for thousands of drones and munitions, hundreds of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and other vehicles, AI-controlled turrets, and various other types of military equipment. We also launched Mriia — the world’s No. 1 education product for students, parents, and teachers. It’s a next-generation ecosystem that helps every child realize their potential and become who they dream of being. Today, Diia.City includes 3,400+ companies, nearly 140,000 employees, and ₴34.6 billion in taxes paid in 2025, double the previous figure. Right now, however, the main focus is the war. We fight with technology. We launched the Army of Drones, which stopped the enemy’s advance at the start of the full-scale invasion. Brave1 has become the largest angel investor in Ukrainian defense tech and has scaled from drones to the production of UGVs and missiles. The cluster is already running joint programs with European partners and helped Ukrainian startups raise $105 million in venture investment in 2025 alone. We introduced the Army of Drones.Bonus system and are already seeing its impact. The Defense Forces receive high-quality battlefield data; units order equipment through the innovative Brave1 Market, an “Amazon for war”; and enemy losses are growing every month—over 30,000 Russians eliminated in December. Today, the Ministry of Digital Transformation is the most effective ministry in the country. Digitalization is the number one reform in terms of public trust. We didn’t promise. We delivered. Ukraine can be fast. Ukraine can be technological. Ukraine can be a leader.

AR and VR were once seen as experimental... Today, they’re solving our major problems. By 2030, the global market is projected to reach $200B+, with Europe contributing $15.8B by 2029. But the more important shift is where AR/VR is actually starting to work. We’re already seeing tangible impact in healthcare:   → The World Health Organization reports a 20% reduction in surgical errors through immersive simulation.   → The NHS in the UK now treats over 10,000 patients annually using VR-based therapies. → In France, hospitals using AR-assisted surgeries have achieved 35% faster recovery rates.   Backing these outcomes, the European Investment Bank recorded over €5 billion in public and private investment in AR/VR healthcare applications in 2022 alone.   Countries like Germany, France, and the UK are leading the way through industrial use cases.   5G networks are improving the technical foundation. And the integration of AI is making AR and VR systems more intelligent, more responsive, and easier to apply in real-world environments.   The broader trend is clear: AR/VR is no longer a speculative bet.   That changes the lens for both founders and investors.   Instead of asking “What can we build with AR/VR?”, the better question is: “Where does this technology naturally integrate to unlock measurable value?”   We have put together in the map below the AR/VR startups in Europe; if we missed any, let us know in the comments so we can add them in version 2 of this map.   #Venturecapital #AI #Deeptech #Startups   Follow us at APEX Ventures and subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content on groundbreaking Deep Tech startups: 🔗 https://t2m.io/EV2qHQuo

The World Economic Forum’s #FutureofJobsReport 2025 has just been published, on January 9th, and as always, it offers fascinating insights into the shifting dynamics of the global job market. It is a long report, with lots of valuable data. From my perspective, this chart may be the most interesting view included in it. A goldmine for reflection and strategy. The #fastest_growing_roles are - almost all of them - dominated by #AI: Data Specialists, Machine Learning Experts, FinTech Engineers, etc. Notably, green tech (e.g., Renewable Energy Engineers, Environmental Engineers) is also surging. This underscores how deeply intertwined AI and sustainability have become in shaping our economies. Organizations investing in these areas are not just future-proofing their business—they’re building the future. On the other end, #declining_roles reflect a shift toward #automation. Jobs like Bank Tellers, Cashiers, and Data Entry Clerks are rapidly shrinking, displaced by technology that offers efficiency and cost savings. While this presents significant challenges for those in these professions, it also highlights the urgent need for upskilling and reskilling. Some Implications for Leaders: 1. Talent Strategy Must Evolve: Leaders need to focus on cultivating talent pipelines for roles that didn’t exist a decade ago. From DevOps Engineers to UI/UX Designers, the demand for skills at the intersection of technology and creativity is exploding. 2. Reskilling is Non-Negotiable: Companies must view reskilling as an investment rather than a cost. Employees in declining roles need pathways into emerging professions—this is as much about social responsibility as it is about long-term competitiveness. 3. AI Adoption is Key—but Ethical AI Even More So: The integration of AI isn’t just a trend—it’s a foundational shift. But as we adopt AI in business processes, ensuring ethical and inclusive implementation will differentiate the winners from the rest. In addition, this chart doesn’t just speak to business; it speaks to the broader socio-economic fabric. The gap between the “haves” and “have-nots” in terms of skills is growing. If we fail to address this through public and private partnerships, we risk creating a polarized workforce—one half thriving in high-growth industries and the other struggling in declining sectors. For me, the biggest takeaway is that growth and decline are two sides of the same coin. Where some see loss, others see opportunity. The challenge is ensuring we don’t leave anyone behind in this transition. I really hope that our government leaders, educators, institutional representatives, top managers, and as many people as possible will see, understand, and act based on this data...

🇪🇬Egypt: Turning into a Booming Payments Market Let's dive into Egypt’s Payments Ecosystem: First, some info about the Payments Ecosystem in Africa: As one of the earliest innovators and adopters of Mobile Money technology, Africa has witnessed a transformation in its delivery of financial services. Key Drivers: 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 ► Due to the surge in mobile phone ownership brought on by telecommunications privatization, the percentage of people with landlines is now only about 2% 𝗠𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 & 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ► In Sub-Saharan Africa, smartphone adoption stood at 51% as of 2022, while it is anticipated to reach 87% by 2030 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 ► Testing grounds for FinTech innovation include the Bank of Mauritius, the National Bank of Rwanda, the Reserve Bank of South Africa, and the Bank of Nigeria 𝗟𝗼𝘄 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 ► Although mobile money is becoming more and more popular, there is still a lot of opportunity for growth due to the prevalence of cash payments in many African countries ► Additionally, point-of-sale payments are still not widely used throughout the continent Now, over to Egypt🇪🇬 Egypt’s relatively young and tech-savvy population (~50 million people under 30 years) presents a significant FinTech opportunity. However, due to low levels of financial inclusion, cash still dominates the country’s payments split. While the merchant payments segment across Africa remains largely underserved, players such as Fawry have capitalized on the opportunity by creating value for merchants through digital payments and cash management services. In 2022, the adoption of a broader range of digital payment methods have accelerated; according to Mastercard’s New Payment Index 2022, 88% of people in Egypt have used at least one emerging payment method in 2022, 35% of which used tappable smartphone mobile wallets while 27% used a digital money transfer app, and the remaining 24% used QR codes. There is also high awareness of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) installments as a budgeting instrument among users. The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) said that as of June 2023, the number of e-wallets on the Egyptian market reached 34 million, up 20% Y-o-Y, with the number of monthly transactions reaching 85 million, representing 130% annual growth. I highly recommend downloading and reading the complete "Fintech in Africa" report by Financial Technology Partners / FT Partners for more interesting info and stats: https://lnkd.in/ewdJqv_i Find this helpful? [ 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 ] Anything to add about this subject? [ 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 ] Nice story, Marcel. Next! [ 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 ] 

India’s Green Financing Opportunity Could Shape a Century   India stands at a defining moment where a growing economic momentum meets an urgent climate imperative. The capital we choose to deploy today, and the priorities that guide this deployment, will influence not just our development trajectory but also the century that India shapes for the world.   At a global scale, the key outcomes from the recently concluded COP30 point towards the immediacy of climate action and the pivotal role of green financing. With strategic policymaking and the emergence of a climate-focused entrepreneurial ecosystem, India has a real opportunity to lead the global cleantech transition and achieve its commitment to reach net-zero by 2070.   Today, Green finance is powering innovation and scaling climate action while enabling entrepreneurship and opening avenues in infrastructure and job creation. At the heart of this transition is India’s rapidly expanding climate-tech or cleantech entrepreneurship ecosystem. Entrepreneurs are building impactful solutions across solar microgrids, battery storage, EV charging, carbon capture and sustainable packaging. According to a news report published by Inc42, Indian climate tech startups attracted over $2.2Bn in new funding over the last 18 months. Despite this momentum, early-stage climate ventures, especially in Tier 2/3 regions, often face barriers in accessing institutional capital. The government is addressing this through policy pivots that strengthen transparency and build confidence in the climate innovation ecosystem.   Subsequently, upper-layer NBFCs, lenders and development finance institutions are collaborating to bridge funding gaps. We are also seeing the rise of innovative financing structures, including blended finance models that combine concessional and commercial capital, thematic green funds to de-risk early-stage investments and ESG-aligned investment frameworks. These tools are helping channel capital to the most impactful and scalable climate innovations. As policy intent aligns with an expanding pool of capital, I truly believe India is well-positioned to become a global cleantech hub. This convergence of finance, innovation and sustainability promises to power India’s transition, strengthens local economies, create green jobs and ultimately shape the green trajectory of the next century not only for the Global South, but for the world.   Now is the time for policymakers, lenders, investors and corporations to take unified action. If India accelerates its green financing architecture with the same ambition as digital and infrastructure transformation, India could set a global benchmark for climate-led growth. The next century will be defined by those who fund the future and India is on the right track to lead the change.

I recently spoke with Jess Houlgrave, CEO of WalletConnect. Her take on crypto’s next cycle cuts against the grain. Forget faster chains and smarter contracts. The real unlock is something simpler and far more powerful: Jess sits at a unique vantage point. WalletConnect connects 20 million wallets across 500+ apps. She sees how value flows. And what she’s seeing now is a shift away from speculation, the very engine that’s powered crypto for the last 15 years. Crypto was built to be traded. Exchanges brought the users. Volatility brought the engagement. No one was buying coffee with ETH. But the rails are changing. Stablecoins dampen volatility while keeping everything programmable. Settlement is near-instant, borderless, and 24/7. Regulators are beginning to recognize that digital dollars are, for all intents and purposes, dollars. Jess told me, “I’ve always been bullish on on-chain commerce - especially consumer pay-ins and pay-outs.” It’s a shift from speculative energy to real economic activity. But behavior trails infrastructure. The pain points traders tolerate (clunky UX, gas fees, wallet friction) won’t fly with everyday consumers. The real unlock is when users stop off-ramping entirely. As Jess put it: “If I get paid in stablecoins and can buy coffee, pay my bills, and even my taxes, why would I ever off-ramp?” In emerging markets, this is even more profound. They can leapfrog legacy banking altogether. Give people open financial rails (saving, spending, lending)all in dollars, and you globally strengthen the dollar itself. That has real implications. As Jess said, “If I were a policymaker outside the U.S., that would keep me up at night.” You can already see the shift. The Bank of England is building on-ramps. Euro stablecoins like EURC are gaining momentum. And banks and fintechs now face a clear choice: Build on these rails, or risk being left behind. If you’re building something at the intersection of AI, Crypto, or Fintech, reach out to me at Generative Ventures: https://lnkd.in/eF5BttbH And if you want to stay ahead of the curve, join 200k+ readers at https://lex.substack.com or check out the AI newsletter at https://lnkd.in/ePK-gfny