The role of innovation policy, digital technologies and education in shaping new employment models

Abstract

The contemporary dynamics of the global labour market are driven by the simultaneous influence of technological innovation, digital transformation, and the growing role of education in developing competencies required for work in conditions of high technological volatility. The relevance of this study stems from the need to assess how automation, algorithmic management mechanisms, the spread of artificial intelligence, and disparities in innovation development affect the structure of employment and the emergence of new professional formats. Particular attention is given to the interrelation between digital infrastructure, the innovation capacity of the economy, and the ability of the education system to cultivate competencies that ensure workers’ adaptability and enable the creation of new models of professional activity. The aim of the study is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the impact of technological change, innovation policy, and educational strategies on labour market transformation and to identify the mechanisms shaping new employment models within the digital economy. The methodological framework is based on comparative and index analysis, structural–logical generalisation, interpretation of international statistical databases (European Innovation Scoreboard 2024, Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025, Eurofound, ILO), as well as analytical methods for evaluating competence development and the effects of AI technologies on labour processes. An interdisciplinary approach is used, combining labour economics, innovation management, digital economy and educational sciences. The results demonstrate that automation, generative AI, and algorithmic management have heterogeneous effects across sectors and social groups, reinforcing disparities in techno-technological change. The study shows that digital segments of the economy display high growth dynamics, while traditional sectors lag due to limited SME innovation activity and insufficient R&D funding. Key competencies essential for integrating workers into new professional roles have been identified, including digital literacy, analytical thinking, the ability to operate within algorithmic systems, entrepreneurial skills, interdisciplinarity, and readiness for lifelong learning.