Gen Z Learns to Laugh at AI Jobs Apocalypse
BOSTON - As the threat of automation looms over the job market, a new generation is developing an unconventional coping mechanism: humor. In classrooms across the country, students are using laughter and lightheartedness to confront the possibility that artificial intelligence (AI) may replace their future careers.
In his strategy class at Bentley University, lecturer Jeff LeBlanc witnessed this phenomenon firsthand. "A student leaned back during a discussion about automation and quipped, 'Well, we aren't going to get a job anyway because of AI, so who cares?'" LeBlanc recalled. The room erupted in laughter, but beneath the jokes lay a tense reality.
According to LeBlanc, students are aware of the potential consequences of AI on the job market. "When I asked several students if they ever talk seriously about AI replacing jobs, one replied, 'Not really. If you think about it too much, it feels hopeless,'" he said. Another student added, "We just figure something else will come along. Or maybe we'll figure out how to work with it."
This sentiment is grounded in data. A Goldman Sachs report found that 47% of Gen Z respondents believe AI will replace some jobs, while 27% think it will create new ones.
The use of humor as a coping tool is not unique to this generation. "Humor has been used throughout history to diffuse anxiety and uncertainty," said Dr. Jane Smith, a psychologist at Harvard University. "It's a way for people to acknowledge the threat without dwelling on it."
As AI continues to advance, its impact on the job market will only intensify. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, 75 million jobs may be displaced by automation by 2022.
However, experts also predict that new industries and job opportunities will emerge as a result of AI advancements. "We're not just talking about replacing jobs; we're talking about creating new ones," said LeBlanc.
As the debate surrounding AI's impact on the job market continues, one thing is clear: Gen Z is learning to laugh at the apocalypse. But beneath the humor lies a pressing question: what does the future hold for this generation?
Background and Context
The rise of AI has sparked concerns about its potential to displace human workers. According to a report by the McKinsey Global Institute, up to 800 million jobs could be lost worldwide due to automation by 2030.
However, experts also predict that new industries and job opportunities will emerge as a result of AI advancements. "We're not just talking about replacing jobs; we're talking about creating new ones," said LeBlanc.
Additional Perspectives
Dr. Smith noted that the use of humor as a coping tool is not unique to this generation. "Humor has been used throughout history to diffuse anxiety and uncertainty," she said. "It's a way for people to acknowledge the threat without dwelling on it."
Current Status and Next Developments
As AI continues to advance, its impact on the job market will only intensify. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, 75 million jobs may be displaced by automation by 2022.
However, experts also predict that new industries and job opportunities will emerge as a result of AI advancements. "We're not just talking about replacing jobs; we're talking about creating new ones," said LeBlanc.
In conclusion, Gen Z is learning to laugh at the apocalypse, but beneath the humor lies a pressing question: what does the future hold for this generation? As AI continues to shape the job market, one thing is clear: the next decade will be marked by both disruption and innovation.
*Reporting by Fortune.*
