15 Jobs That Didn’t Exist 5 Years Ago

How well do you remember the year 2020? The global COVID-19 pandemic raged, the UK left the European Union, Black Lives Matter protests erupted in the US, and the 100-year-old war veteran Captain Tom Moore raised over £30 million for NHS charities by walking around his garden.

Since 2020, the world has undergone significant changes: new technologies have emerged, businesses have adopted remote work arrangements, and sustainability policies have taken centre stage. In this article, I demonstrate how the labour market has adapted by creating new professions—jobs that didn’t exist five years ago.

1. Machine Learning Operations engineer

Machine Learning Operations engineers are responsible for building, deploying, and managing machine learning models from beginning to end. MLOps engineers find employment not only in tech firms but also in the financial, healthcare, and startup industries. For example, ML models help detect early signs of cancer, spot fraudulent transactions, and analyse market trends. Machine learning experts are in high demand, as their skills are essential for helping businesses stay current with emerging tech trends.

💷 Average base pay: £55K/year (source: Glassdoor)

🔨 Required skills: Python/R, machine learning fundamentals, cloud platforms, Docker/Kubernetes, DevOps, collaboration, communication skills

2. AI ethicist

The popularity of AI models in recent years has transformed many professions. However, users reported certain downsides, such as unauthorised access to personal information, relying on biased datasets, intellectual property breaches, and deepfake generation. These concerns have led to the emergence of AI ethicists, who support the development of AI governance regulations. 

AI ethicists combine technical knowledge with an understanding of social, legal, and moral implications of AI use. They ensure that AI systems comply with legal regulations, societal standards, and ethical principles.

💷 Average base pay: £41K/year (source: Glassdoor)

🔨 Required skills: AI and machine learning fundamentals, communication skills, stakeholder management, data analysis, emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity, problem-solving skills

3. AI prompt engineer

If you have ever tried creating content in ChatGPT, Midjourney, or other gen-AI models, you know that describing your vision in detail can be tricky. Obtaining the desired output depends on the prompt you type. That’s why many companies hire AI prompt engineers, whose job is to write and refine prompts, so the results are consistent with what they need.

💷 Average base pay: £55K/year (source: Glassdoor)

🔨 Required skills: Natural language processing, training and tuning AI models, coding, critical thinking, reporting, collaboration, communication

4. Online learning designer

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, online learning has become standard not only in the corporate world but also in many privately owned and public educational organisations. The e-learning market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 17.1% through 2030. Learning and instructional designers who create curricula and develop interactive learning content can find job opportunities at international corporations as well as on a freelance basis.

💷 Average base pay: £35K/year (source: Glassdoor)

🔨 Required skills: Learning models, research skills, assessing learners’ needs, knowledge of design software, problem-solving skills, project management

5. Customer Experience designer

If customers have a bad experience with an app, they will likely move to a different one. Businesses that don’t want to lose potential clients hire customer experience designers. CX experts analyse customer needs, collect feedback, and map customer journeys to ensure that all interactions with brand products and services are seamless, positive, and effective.

💷 Average base pay: £37K/year (source: Glassdoor)

🔨 Required skills: knowledge of customer behaviour, analytical skills, data-driven decision-making, teamwork, project management

6. Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion program manager

Despite Donald Trump’s ‘war on woke’, many organisations and businesses want to promote inclusiveness. That’s why they hire equality, diversity, and inclusion officers who monitor and develop policies designed to combat discrimination. EDI program managers implement diversity initiatives, provide guidance, raise awareness, and ensure companies and organisations meet the requirements of equality legislation.

💷 Average base pay: £58K/year (source: Glassdoor)

🔨 Required skills: cultural awareness, communication skills, relationship building, trustworthiness, project management, leadership

7. Podcast producer

When over 20% of UK adults (and rising!) listen to at least one podcast a week, it’s not surprising that professionals are in demand. Podcast producers are responsible for all stages of creation, from conception and pitching to the release of recorded episodes. They also typically promote their shows on social media. It’s a complex job that requires a mix of creativity and technical skills.

💷 Average base pay: £36K/year (source: Glassdoor)

🔨 Required skills: Research, audio recording and editing, creative thinking, communication skills, marketing skills

8. Short-form video editor

Maybe TikTok doesn’t appeal to you, but you’ve surely watched a few reels here and there. Millions of short videos on YouTube, Instagram, and other platforms are made by amateurs for fun, but there’s also a vast portion of content filmed by professionals. Short-form video editors work for individuals or companies to create and enhance video content, ensuring it reaches and resonates with their target audience.

💷 Average base pay: £31K/year (source: Glassdoor)

🔨 Required skills: mastery of video editing software, creativity, attention to detail, time management, communication

9. Vertical farm operator

Despite being one of the oldest industries known to humanity, farming continues to embrace new technologies. Thanks to modern science, it’s possible to grow healthy food sustainably in dense urban areas. Vertical farm operators manage daily crop production on indoor vertical farms, and their roles require a combination of agricultural expertise and business management skills.

💷 Average base pay: £29K/year (source: Glassdoor)

🔨 Required skills: technical skills, plant science, pest management, resource optimisation, data collection, teamwork

10. Plant-based food developer

The rising popularity of plant-based products encouraged food technologists to seek more specialised areas of expertise. Plant-based food developers help develop and manufacture vegan and vegetarian food products that are healthy, safe, tasty, and compliant with all required regulations. They have in-depth knowledge of nutrition, food science, and cookery.

💷 Average base pay: £46K/year (source: Glassdoor)

🔨 Required skills: Food technology knowledge, nutritional knowledge, cooking skills, attention to detail, organisation skills, problem-solving skills

11. Deepfake detection specialist

Generative AI powers aren’t always used with good intentions. Ultra-realistic deepfakes are projected to cause financial losses of up to $40 billion (£29.8 billion) by 2027. Deepfake detection specialists aim to create fraud detection technologies that can help prevent economic losses and protect individuals as well as companies. 

💷 Average base pay: £55K/year (source: Glassdoor)

🔨 Required skills: deep learning, data analysis, data modelling, hypothesis testing, problem-solving skills, teamwork

12. Drone traffic manager

A decade ago, drones were a curiosity. Today, they’re used in multiple industries, including agriculture, construction, wildlife conservation, and the military. Drone traffic managers analyse real-time data to ensure that unmanned aircraft operate safely and efficiently in a designated airspace. 

💷 Average base pay: £35K/year (source: Glassdoor)

🔨 Required skills: air traffic management, knowledge of regulations, technical skills, attention to detail, communication skills, risk assessment

13. Virtual fashion designer

Since players of Roblox, Fortnite, and other games can model their avatars to represent themselves, it’s not surprising that they can also shop for virtual apparel. Some creators have combined their passion for gaming with 3D design skills to create lucrative businesses selling virtual fashion items, and major fashion houses have followed this trend by offering branded digital clothing.

💷 Average base pay: £32K/year (source: Glassdoor)

🔨 Required skills: knowledge of metaverse games, 3D design skills, creativity, attention to detail, proficiency in 3D modelling software

14. Virtual influencer manager

Virtual influencers are experiencing growing popularity. Brands utilise these digital personas to promote their products and services, primarily targeting younger generations. Virtual influencer managers design marketing campaigns that feature digital characters. They create social media content, establish brand partnerships, and manage the virtual influencer’s brand to align with the company's vision.

💷 Average base pay: £36K/year (source: Glassdoor)

🔨 Required skills: marketing skills, social media management, brand management, creative thinking, communication skills, teamwork

15. NFT specialist

Non-Fungible Tokens are unique digital assets that use blockchain technology to certify ownership and authenticity. They started as collectable images (maybe you remember the Bored Ape Yacht Club) and evolved into a tool for ownership and utility. NFT specialists help to design NFTs based on the latest trends, users’ preferences, and usability. 

💷 Average base pay: £31K/year (source: Glassdoor)

🔨 Required skills: Knowledge of blockchain and crypto, design skills, critical thinking, research skills, communication, teamwork

Summary

The integration of advanced technology, ethical concerns, and cultural trends increasingly shapes emerging career paths. There’s a growing need for professionals who can not only build digital systems but also ensure they align with human values. These roles often require a combination of hard and soft skills, encompassing areas such as deep learning, cloud computing, cultural sensitivity, and effective communication.

Simultaneously, other roles are surfacing at the intersection of creativity, sustainability, and innovation. Even traditional sectors such as agriculture and food production are being transformed, demonstrating that today’s labour force must adapt to ever-changing consumer habits and technological platforms.

Methodology

This list of jobs that emerged within the last 5 years was created by reviewing credible research articles and ethical guidelines from reputable sources. The process included:

• Trend identification: We reviewed publications outlining emerging technological trends and the jobs they originated, including: Emerging Trends in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Applications, UK E-learning Services Market Size & Outlook, 2024–2030 by Grand View Research, Deloitte’s handbook: Does your company need a Chief AI Ethics Officer, an AI Ethicist, AI Ethics Council, or all three?, and Ofcom’s report: Top podcast listening trends from our research. They helped us see the impact of new technologies on jobs and the demand for services that these jobs handle.
• Sector prioritisation: This article emphasises professions related to STEM, creative thinking, sustainability, and ethics to paint a broad picture of qualifications and skills needed in the 21st-century labour market.
• Role validation: Each presented role has been cross-checked with Glassdoor UK salary data to ensure accuracy and practical relevance for job seekers.
• Editorial review: LiveCareer UK’s editorial team approved the final list to ensure alignment with CV-writing guidelines and labour market realities that job seekers encounter.

This methodology aims to ensure that the careers presented in this article accurately reflect the current state of the UK labour market and potential future job opportunities.

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with LiveCareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.

Sources

• Glassdoor, Company salaries
• Lawrence E., (2025) Emerging Trends in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Applications
• Ammanath B., (2021) Does your company need a Chief AI Ethics Officer, an AI Ethicist, AI Ethics Council, or all three?
• GrandViewResearch.com, UK E-learning Services Market Size & Outlook, 2024–2030
• Equality and Human Rights Commission, (2018) Equality Act 2010
• Ofcom, (2024) Top podcast listening trends from our research
• Giraldi L., (2023) The Metaverse as an Opportunity for the Development of Fashion Design
• Romero-Moreno F., (2025) Deepfake detection in generative AI: A legal framework proposal to protect human rights
• Igarashi R., Bhoumik K., Thompson J., (2024) Investigating the effectiveness of virtual influencers in prosocial marketing