AI will transform the role of system administrators

To better understand the future of work, ServiceNow paired up for the third year in a row with research partner Pearson to produce the 2025 Workforce Skills Forecast. This study assesses how AI agents and related technologies such as generative AI (GenAI) will impact workers and organizations in the next five years.

[NOTE: Experienced human writers and editors used AI to help research and draft this article.]

ServiceNow and Pearson used machine learning to mine labor market data in 10 countries (Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the UAE, the UK, and the U.S.). The resulting analysis maps the changing relationship between people and AI in the workplace and predicts that AI will change the mix of skills required for people and organizations to thrive.

Long-term impacts on sysadmins

1. Shift toward strategic oversigh: AI is increasingly automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks such as data collection and process documentation, while machine learning algorithms can process large data sets, detect patterns, and generate insights faster than humans. This will both allow—and force—business process analysts to focus on more strategic, high-value work such as designing innovative solutions and interpreting deeper insights. This will only increase over the next five years.

2. Focus on cybersecurity and AI ethics: Sysadmins will address AI-related cybersecurity threats and ensure systems remain unbiased, secure, and compliant with privacy regulations, blending technical skills with ethical considerations.

By 2030, the impact of AI and other advanced technologies on the sysadmin role will be high.

Despite the changes in the role, an additional 22,300 sysadmins are projected to be needed in the U.S. over the next five years to enable emerging technologies across industries, according to the research.

Sysadmins manage servers, operating systems, and networks and handle tasks such as configuration, patching, and troubleshooting. They enforce security measures, such as firewalls and access controls, and ensure data protection through backups and disaster recovery planning. They also assist end-users with technical issues and automate routine tasks with tools such as PowerShell or Python. Additionally, sysadmins plan and implement IT projects, such as system upgrades or migrations. Their role balances day-to-day problem-solving with proactive planning to meet evolving organizational needs.

According to ServiceNow University, average U.S. salaries for sysadmins specializing in the ServiceNow AI Platform are $102,500.

The key skills/mindsets of a sysadmin include:

• Technical proficiency: Sysadmins need to have a mastery of operating systems (e.g., Windows, Linux, MacOS), virtualization software (VMware, Docker), cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), scripting (Python, PowerShell), database management (SQL, NoSQL), and networking protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP).
• Problem-solving skills: Strong diagnostic abilities for root cause analysis, critical thinking, and incident response under time constraints.
• Security and cybersecurity management: Proficiency in access control, firewall configuration, patch management, and cybersecurity frameworks.
• Networking and infrastructure knowledge: Expertise in managing local- and wide-area networks, VPNs, and troubleshooting connectivity or hardware failures.
• Communication skills: Ability to explain technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders, create clear documentation, and collaborate effectively with teams.
• Project management and organizational skills: Strong planning, execution, time management, and resource allocation for IT projects, such as system migrations or upgrades.
• Adaptability and continuous learning: Staying current with trends, learning new tools and technologies, and gaining certifications.
• Disaster recovery and business continuity: Designing backup systems, developing disaster recovery strategies, and ensuring high availability to minimize downtime during disruptions.

AI and agentic AI will transform many existing tasks traditionally performed by sysadmins. This shift does not mean that sysadmin jobs will be eliminated, rather that the role will adapt in the future to focus on operating and improving automated systems.

According to our research with Pearson, 31% of U.S.-based sysadmin roles will be transformed by AI (agentic and non-agentic) over the next five years. We have identified this role as being one of the readiest for change with the introduction of agentic AI. While a quarter of that transformation will come from non-agentic AI, such as machine learning or GenAI, the rest will come from the introduction and use of AI agents. Only implementation consultants will be more impacted by AI in the next five years.

The average sysadmin will see a savings of roughly 12 hours of labor per week by 2030 due to AI, according to our research. That breaks down to 9 hours saved from the use of AI agents and 3 hours saved using non-agentic AI tools. Major time savings in specific tasks include 50% savings in the time spent administrating computers, maintaining system configurations and software, and coordinating network access.

Of the transformation that will come over the next five years from the use of agentic AI, sysadmins will see a 17% gain in their work capacity due to the use of agentic AI-powered tools. In this future, the sysadmin role will increasingly function as a human-in-the-loop, making sure AI systems are operating correctly and that agents are performing efficiently and as intended. Tasks that will be automated (done fully by AI) will account for 6% of the role by 2030. Although changes are coming for sysadmins, we project that AI will augment the sysadmins’ jobs more than replace people entirely.

As agentic AI becomes increasingly prevalent in the workforce, sysadmins can take the following measures to remain relevant and even thrive.

• Learn automation tools: To remain relevant, sysadmins must gain proficiency in AI-driven IT management tools that automate the monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimization of IT operations. Understanding scripted automation (e.g., Ansible, Terraform) will also help offload repetitive tasks and focus on higher-value activities.
• Develop cloud management expertise: With IT environments increasingly moving to the cloud, sysadmins need to deepen their skills in managing cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. This includes learning how to configure, optimize, and secure hybrid and multi-cloud environments, which often rely on AI-enhanced management tools.
• Focus on cybersecurity skills: AI-powered tools are transforming cybersecurity, but sysadmins who stay ahead by learning about threat detection, AI-enabled endpoint security, and ransomware prevention will remain indispensable. Gaining certifications such as CISSP or CompTIA Security+ can also boost credibility and skills in securing AI-augmented systems.
• Expand into DevOps skills: AI is pushing a shift toward infrastructure as code and DevOps practices. Understanding CI/CD pipelines, container orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes, Docker), and version control systems will allow sysadmins to work alongside developers and facilitate AI-driven infrastructures.
• Cultivate a lifelong learning mindset: As AI evolves rapidly, sysadmins must commit to continuous learning by staying informed about emerging AI technologies, attending industry conferences, and earning certifications. Platforms such as Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and GitHub can help them stay up to date with trends in AI-driven automation and infrastructure.

By honing these skills and adopting a mindset of continuous learning, sysadmins (and more broadly all tech workers) can maintain relevance and thrive alongside rising agentic and non-agentic AI. Remember: agentic AI is a tool, not a replacement for human ingenuity. By focusing on adaptability, continuous learning, and leveraging uniquely human traits, tech workers can position themselves as indispensable collaborators in an AI-driven future.

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