BREAKING NEWS: AI safety pioneer Roman Yampolskiy has issued a dire warning that 99% of workers could face unemployment by 2030, driven by rapid advancements in automation. Speaking on the Diary of a CEO podcast, Yampolskiy emphasized the urgency of this crisis, stating that even traditionally secure roles such as coders and prompt engineers will not be immune to the impending wave of job losses.
With the rise of artificial general intelligence (AGI) expected by 2027, Yampolskiy predicts a catastrophic shift in the labor market just three years later. “In five years, we’re looking at levels of unemployment we’ve never seen before,” he warned, highlighting that we may not be talking about a mere 10% unemployment rate, but a staggering 99%.
Yampolskiy, a computer science professor at the University of Louisville and a leading voice in AI risk discussions, argues that the economic implications could be catastrophic. “If I can just get a $20 subscription or a free model to do what an employee does, hiring humans becomes uneconomical,” he stated, indicating that automation will extend beyond digital tasks to physical labor roles, including plumbing and driving, within the next five years.
The ramifications of such widespread job loss extend beyond economic factors. Yampolskiy expressed concern over societal preparedness, stating, “Governments don’t have programs prepared to deal with 99% unemployment.” This crisis raises profound questions about identity and meaning, as many individuals derive their sense of purpose from their work. “For a lot of people, their jobs are what give them meaning in their lives. So they would be kind of lost,” he explained.
While Yampolskiy’s predictions are alarming, some experts suggest a less catastrophic outcome. Adam Dorr from RethinkX warns of mass job losses by 2045, but expects some sectors, such as politics and sex work, to remain relatively safe. In contrast, Geoffrey Hinton, known as the “Godfather of AI,” believes that manual roles like plumbing will be insulated from automation.
Despite these varying opinions, the urgency of Yampolskiy’s message cannot be understated. As society grapples with the potential fallout of mass unemployment, the need for proactive measures has never been more critical.
As we approach 2027, all eyes will be on government responses and potential strategies to address this seismic shift in the workforce. Yampolskiy’s stark predictions underscore the need for immediate dialogue and action to mitigate the impending crisis.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as officials and experts weigh in on the future of work in an AI-driven world.
