Investors predict artificial intelligence will significantly impact the enterprise workforce by 2026, according to a recent TechCrunch survey. The prediction comes amid growing concerns about AI's potential to automate jobs and increase efficiency, leading to workforce reductions.

The survey, which did not specifically ask about AI's impact on labor, revealed that multiple enterprise venture capitalists anticipate substantial changes in the enterprise workforce within the next two years. Eric Bahn, co-founder and general partner at Hustle Fund, said he expects to see effects on labor in 2026, though the exact nature of those effects remains uncertain. "I want to see what roles that have been known for more repetition get automated, or even more complicated roles with more logic become more automated," Bahn said. He questioned whether this would lead to layoffs, higher productivity, or simply augment existing roles.

Concerns about AI's impact on workers have been escalating alongside advancements in AI technology and the proliferation of products promising automation. A November MIT study indicated that an estimated 11.7% of jobs could already be automated using existing AI technology. Furthermore, surveys have shown that employers are already eliminating entry-level positions due to AI, and some companies have cited AI as a reason for layoffs.

As enterprises increasingly adopt AI solutions, they may reassess their staffing needs, potentially leading to workforce reductions or shifts in job roles. The specific areas most vulnerable to automation include roles involving repetitive tasks and, increasingly, those requiring complex logic. The extent to which AI will displace workers, augment their abilities, or simply alter the nature of work remains a subject of debate among industry experts.