AI Expected to Disrupt US Workforce, Experts Warn of Massive Job Loss

Experts warn that AI could drastically disrupt the American labor market, with predictions of unemployment levels reaching unprecedented heights. Roman Yampolskiy, a computer science professor, foresees AI and humanoid robots automating nearly all jobs within five years, including those in coding and prompt engineering, leaving no viable plan B for displaced workers. This concern is amplified in the U.S. due to 'American exceptionalism'—a labor market characterized by low unionization, at-will employment, and a modest welfare system—which could intensify job insecurity as AI adoption accelerates. While some fear AI will broadly replace human creativity and jobs, others note that the real danger also involves subtle psychological impacts, such as overreliance on AI-generated content leading to diminished human engagement. Political voices like Senator Josh Hawley emphasize the human cost of such technological change, invoking the value of human dignity and frailty in the face of AI's rise. The combination of rapid AI advancement and the unique vulnerabilities of the U.S. labor system suggests a particularly challenging future for American workers.