AI's Growing Impact on Jobs: Who's at Risk?

Artificial intelligence is changing the job market in the U. S. fast. Many jobs could be taken over by AI in the near future. A new study from MIT shows that AI might already be able to replace 12% of American workers. That's a lot of people and a huge amount of money in wages. The U. S. is investing a lot in AI. Both private companies and the government are putting money into this technology. But not everyone is happy about it. Some people worry that AI will cause big problems for workers. It could replace both simple jobs and more skilled ones, like coding and design. MIT researchers used something called the "Iceberg Index" to figure out which jobs are most at risk. They looked at 151 million workers and 32, 000 skills. They found that AI is already being used a lot in tech jobs. But it could also do many other tasks, like financial analysis and office work. Some jobs are more at risk than others. These include software engineers, data scientists, and people who do office work. But AI might not be able to replace all jobs. Some jobs, like phlebotomists and nursing assistants, seem safe for now. A study by Microsoft also looked at which jobs are most at risk. They found that interpreters, writers, and customer service workers are among the most vulnerable. But they also found that some jobs, like hazardous materials removal and tire repair, are less likely to be replaced by AI. A Senate report warned that AI could destroy nearly 100 million U. S. jobs in a decade. They listed jobs like fast food workers, customer service reps, and truck drivers as being at high risk. But they also said that some jobs, like personal care aides and oral surgeons, are less likely to be replaced. The MIT study said that the Iceberg Index can help people make important decisions about where to invest in training and which skills to prioritize. Entrepreneur Andrew Yang said that many CEOs are downsizing because of AI replacing entry-level workers. Estimates about how AI will affect the job market vary widely. Some people think it will change jobs rather than eliminate them. Others think it could automate a lot of jobs by 2030. Only time will tell how big of an impact AI will have on the job market.