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The Resilience of the Leisure and Care Economy: Human-Centred Niches in an AI-Driven Labour Market

Authors:
Ilona Erika Negro

Keywords: AI and labour; human-centric work; leisure and care economy; emotional intelligence; automation resilience

Abstract:
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) is expected to automate up to 30% of current tasks by 2030, it is transforming the structure of work across sectors. Amid this ongoing shift, the Leisure and Care Economy emerges as a sector offering adaptable, future-aligned trajectories. Human-centric professions like wellness instruction, pet care, and craftsmanship represent occupational niches that may benefit from technological advances, building synergies while preserving their essentially human character. This extended abstract proposes the Human-Centric Resilience Model, rooted in Self-Determination Theory and symbolic capital, to examine why these roles endure, evolve, or even grow in symbolic and practical value. The model highlights the distinctive combination of emotional intelligence, physical dexterity, and adaptability as a foundation for this resilience. Drawing on occupational data from O*NET, the paper underscores the economic and social value of these professions. While AI enhances efficiency in routine tasks, multimodal large language models still struggle with complex human interaction. As authentic connections become rarer, such professions may gain premium status. Policy-led training and social revaluation can help build sustainable, fulfilling careers, offering a new perspective on human-AI complementarity in a transforming society.

Pages: 1 to 3

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2025

Publication date: September 28, 2025

Published in: conference

ISBN: 978-1-68558-303-3

Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Dates: from September 28, 2025 to October 2, 2025