Alejandro Betancourt: Why The Digital Revolution Will Outpace The Industrial Revolution

Alejandro Betancourt López, chairman of O'Hara Administration, has expressed a view that the digital revolution will surpass the Industrial Revolution in both scope and velocity. This perspective is informed by his early investment in artificial intelligence, made five years prior to the current expansion of the field. Recent data suggests that 92 million jobs could be displaced by 2030, while 170 million new positions are anticipated to emerge.

Betancourt has provided a clear evaluation of the impact of technological advancements on the global economy: "The digital revolution is going to be as world-changing as the industrial revolution, but even faster and more aggressive. A lot of new jobs are going to be created, but unfortunately, a lot of traditional employment is going to be lost or replaced by this revolution."

This statement was made in the context of a significant AI investment he placed approximately five years earlier, which saw a return of nearly 20 times its original value by early 2025. Due to confidentiality agreements, the specific company remains undisclosed.

Comparison with the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution, spanning from the 1760s to the mid-19th century, replaced agrarian labor with factory work and improved living standards, albeit with significant disruptions for workers. Betancourt suggests that the digital revolution is accelerating this process within a much shorter timeframe. The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 indicates that AI and automation are expected to displace 92 million jobs by 2030 while creating 170 million new ones.

Betancourt's investment strategy for the digital economy is targeted, with emphasis on artificial intelligence, robotics, and technology manufacturing. He stated, "We're going to be more involved in AI, manufacturing for technology, and robotics, which is high risk, high reward, and we're trying to get it right and involve the right players in the market." The WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025 notes that spending on generative AI increased eightfold following ChatGPT's release.

Betancourt highlighted the structural challenges resulting from the digital revolution, noting that many traditional roles may be replaced, and existing skill sets are projected to become outdated. According to the WEF's Future of Jobs Report 2025, 40% of employers plan to reduce headcount in roles where AI can automate tasks, and 39% of current skills are expected to be obsolete by 2030. This mirrors the Industrial Revolution, where displaced workers did not benefit from the economic gains until later.

Defining Success in the Digital Economy

Betancourt describes success in the digital economy as contingent on being positioned in the right part of the value chain at the right time. He explained, "AI just makes everything more efficient. It’s not only in energy in anything." Research by McKinsey suggests that over 70% of skills sought by employers are relevant to both automatable and non-automatable roles, indicating that human contributions will shift rather than disappear with AI adoption.

Based on reporting by techround.co.uk.