AI Pioneer Warns: Most Jobs, Including Trades, at Risk of Displacement

Professor Yoshua Bengio, a renowned computer science professor at the Université de Montréal and Turing Award winner, has expressed concerns that artificial intelligence (AI) will eventually displace nearly all jobs, including those in the trade sector such as plumbing. Bengio, one of the most-cited scientists in the world on Google Scholar, has spent four decades developing AI technology and has now turned his attention to warning about the impending job displacement. According to Bengio, desk jobs, or cognitive jobs, will be the first to be affected by automation. In an interview on Steven Bartlett's Diary of a CEO podcast, Bengio stated, "Unless we hit a wall scientifically, like some obstacle prevents us from making progress to make AIs smarter and smarter, there's going to be a time when they'll be doing more and more, able to do more and more of the work that people do." He emphasized that it is not a question of whether AI will displace jobs, but rather a matter of time, as companies are eager to integrate AI into their workflows. Bengio's comments highlight the growing concern about the impact of AI on the job market. As AI technology advances, it is becoming increasingly capable of performing tasks that were previously the exclusive domain of humans. Bengio noted that Gen Z new hires are already being affected by AI-driven automation, as companies seek to streamline their operations and reduce costs. The implications of AI-driven job displacement are far-reaching and have significant societal consequences. As Bengio pointed out, the integration of AI into workflows takes years, and companies are eager to adopt the technology. This raises questions about the future of work and the need for workers to adapt to an increasingly automated economy. Bengio's warnings are not new, but they are timely and relevant in the context of the current job market. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, automation and AI are expected to displace over 75 million jobs globally by 2025, while creating 133 million new ones. However, the report also notes that many of the new jobs created will require significant upskilling and reskilling of workers. In response to the growing concern about AI-driven job displacement, some experts are advocating for a more proactive approach to addressing the issue. This includes investing in education and training programs that focus on developing skills that are complementary to AI, such as creativity, empathy, and critical thinking. Others are calling for policies that support workers who are displaced by automation, such as universal basic income and retraining programs. As AI technology continues to advance, it is clear that the job market will undergo significant changes. Bengio's warnings serve as a reminder of the need for workers, policymakers, and businesses to adapt to an increasingly automated economy. While the future is uncertain, one thing is clear: the impact of AI on the job market will be profound and far-reaching.