The relentless advancement of Artificial Intelligence has ignited a fierce debate: will it trigger mass unemployment on a scale never before witnessed? Recent data paints a concerning picture.
A January 2025 report by the International Monetary Fund estimates that roughly 30% of jobs in Western economies are at high risk of being replaced by AI. This figure is echoed by a more alarming prediction from a leading AI developer, who anticipates AI being “broadly better than almost all humans at almost all things” by 2027.
Public sentiment reflects this anxiety. Global polling reveals a near even split between those optimistic and nervous about AI’s impact, with nearly half of Gen Z expecting AI to take their jobs within five years.
While some argue that AI will create new jobs, history suggests technological advancements often lead to painful transitional periods of widespread unemployment before new sectors fully mature.
The crucial question remains: will the pace of AI-driven job displacement outstrip our ability to adapt and create new economic opportunities? The coming years will be a critical test of humanity’s capacity to navigate this technological revolution without succumbing to widespread social and economic upheaval.