In April 2023, Hubertus Heil, Germany’s Federal Minister for Labor and Social Affairs, stated: “By 2035, there will be no job that is unrelated to AI.” According to him, AI will influence all fields of work in the future — whether by automating routine tasks or assisting with complex processes. Upon review, it becomes evident that this claim is mostly true.
This statement was first made in an interview with Der Tagesspiegel. In the interview, Hubertus Heil explained that artificial intelligence would permeate all areas of the working world, leaving no occupations untouched by AI in the future. He later clarified in an article that was published at Mittelstandsverbund: “AI is not a thing of the future” but rather a present reality. He pointed to examples such as platform-based matchmaking systems or intelligent assistance systems in skilled trades. Even in less technology-driven professions, AI is expected to play a role in the future.
Insights from the BMAS
Heil’s statement is based on projections from experts at the Federal Ministry for Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS), particularly from the “Digital Working Society” (Denkfabrik Digitale Arbeitsgesellschaft) and the AI Observatory. These entities employ so-called horizon-scanning methods to evaluate the long-term impacts of digitalization. A recent BMAS newsletter states: “By the year 2035, there will be virtually no job in Germany that does not rely on AI.” This softens the original statement somewhat, as “virtually no” implies that complete saturation is not guaranteed.
The ministry also highlights industry-specific differences. While routine tasks are often automated, activities requiring creativity and social interaction will still rely heavily on human labor. However, the BMAS and associated institutions have not provided specific data to support the “2035” figure upon request. It remains unclear whether this forecast is based on solid data or is a symbolic estimate.
External Sources: Studies and Evaluations
To assess Hubertus Heil’s claim, external studies and forecasts were considered. According to a survey by the consulting firm PwC, 45% of German companies are already using AI technologies such as ChatGPT, DeepL, or Microsoft Copilot. Additionally, 38% of employees use AI tools for tasks like text editing or translation. The PwC survey included 2,000 professionals aged 19 to 65 and examined how AI is transforming the working world. AI is already significantly influencing the workplace today:

An analysis by OpenAI and the University of Pennsylvania reveals that approximately 80% of U.S. workers are in professions where at least 10% of daily tasks could be supported by generative AI. Occupations such as mathematicians, writers, and programmers are particularly affected. For example, up to 50% of a bookkeeper’s tasks could be automated by AI.
According to McKinsey & Company, AI’s impact is expected to fundamentally reshape labor markets in Europe and the U.S. McKinsey estimates that up to 27% of tasks across all job types could be automated. By 2030, this transformation could lead to 12 million job changes. In Germany, around 3 million jobs—approximately 7% of total employment—would be affected under this scenario. However, it is not explicitly stated that every single job will necessarily be related to AI soon. The following data illustrates which areas of activity could be most impacted by this shift:

Similarly to that, findings from the IAB Kurzbericht 2023 highlight the variation of AI-driven automation across sectors. Manufacturing and IT demonstrate the highest automation potential, with many tasks in these industries involving repetitive and data-intensive processes. On the other hand, sectors such as social work and healthcare show much lower potential due to their reliance on interpersonal skills. Crucially, the IAB Kurzbericht emphasizes that entire professions cannot be fully automated. Only specific tasks within roles are impacted.
German cyberneticist Klaus Henning writes in Smart and Digital – How Artificial Intelligence Changes All Workplaces (p. 121) that both the maturity and penetration of AI will grow dramatically by 2035. However, the precise technical development of AI remains unpredictable. Similarly, Joseph Azar, a former tech CEO, stated in an interview with Laurine McDonald that AI could transform or render obsolete most jobs by 2035. He mentioned industries such as customer support, graphic design, and even surgical procedures as examples of rapid AI adoption.
In addition to technological advancements that cannot precisely be predicted, the regulatory framework also plays a key role. In 2024, the EU AI Act became the world’s first comprehensive legislation regulating AI. However, the future development of additional laws remains uncertain.
Assessment and Conclusion
Hubertus Heil’s assertion that artificial intelligence (AI) will influence all professions by 2035 is mostly true and supported by experts and external sources, but it remains a forecast. A definitive prediction that truly every job will be affected is not feasible. The year “2035” should therefore be understood more as a symbolic milestone rather than an exact prediction. It points to a long-term development whose precise trajectory depends on numerous factors. The exact timeframe in which AI will affect all professions remains difficult to determine.
RESEARCH | ARTICLE | Marie Hähnle, Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart, Germany
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