Career resilience in the age of AI: Implications for corporate governance and sustainable workforce development among low- to mid-skilled workers in a developing country

The rapid diffusion of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed labor markets, raising critical questions about workforce adaptability and governance (Batool et al., 2025; Chhibber et al., 2025). This study explored how low- to mid-skill workers in Thailand cultivate and sustain career resilience amid increasing AI integration and examined how corporate governance and sustainability frameworks influence this process. Employing a qualitative design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants from the retail, hospitality, and tourism sectors. Using content analysis, the findings revealed four interrelated themes: perceived vulnerability and awareness of AI-driven change, adaptive strategies for employability, organizational and governance support mechanisms, and sustainability implications for workforce development. The findings indicated that workers demonstrated multidimensional resilience through cognitive adaptability, behavioral flexibility, and emotional regulation, while inclusive governance practices—such as transparent communication and re-skilling programs—enhanced their confidence and adaptability. The study concludes that ethical, human-centered governance is pivotal for aligning technological transformation with equitable and sustainable workforce development in emerging economies. Ultimately, this study contributes to the literature by providing worker-centered empirical insights into how career resilience is co-constructed through individual adaptability and ethical corporate governance, thereby advancing understanding of workforce sustainability in AI-driven emerging economies.