AI has come a long way since OpenAI launched ChatGPT in 2022. In just a few years, it has made AI more accessible and reshaped how we think and work. With rapid advancements, AI conversations now feel more authentic and human-like than ever. But as AI continues to evolve, concerns have grown about its impact on jobs.
Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates recently echoed this sentiment in an interview with NBC, highlighting how artificial intelligence could eventually take over many roles in fields like teaching and medicine. But will this shift be sustainable? And if so, for how long, and to what extent?
Nearly 100 years ago, in 1930, John Maynard Keynes, one of the most influential economists of the 20th century, wrote in his essay Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren about “technological unemployment”—where machines replace human labor faster than new jobs can be created. However, Keynes also believed this would be a temporary phase, ultimately leading to greater productivity and a future where people work fewer hours while enjoying a higher standard of living.
I believe Keynes was right. AI will not replace us but will push us to perform our jobs more effectively. Though, I do wonder—will we really get to work fewer hours, or will organizations just find new ways to keep us busy?
Just as the advent of computers automated clerical tasks like data entry and bookkeeping with software such as Microsoft Excel and ERP systems, e-commerce giants like Amazon reduced the need for in-store retail workers, and manufacturing saw a major shift with computer-controlled robotics. Similarly, advanced AI will certainly make some jobs obsolete but will also create new opportunities, pushing us to evolve for the better.
However, excessive trust in AI without proper governance and human oversight, could result in fatal failures in critical areas like healthcare and military operations. The future of AI and jobs isn’t just about replacement—it’s about adaptation. The real question isn’t whether AI will take our jobs, but rather, how we’ll adapt to make the most of it.