This weekly update reveals significant changes in how AI agents and automation are affecting workers across the globe, with both positive and concerning developments emerging.

Massive Automation Wave Coming

New research shows that the automation revolution is moving faster than anyone predicted. In Europe, about 27% of all work hours could be done by AI by 2030. In the United States, that number jumps to 30% of work hours. This means millions of workers will need to adapt quickly or risk losing their jobs.

The change is being driven by generative AI - the same technology behind tools like ChatGPT. Unlike older automation that only did simple, repetitive tasks, these new AI systems can handle complex work that requires thinking and creativity.

Job Winners and Losers Emerge

While AI is eliminating some jobs, it's creating others. New positions are opening up for AI engineers, data scientists, and machine learning specialists. Companies like Google, IBM, and Microsoft are partnering with universities to train workers for these new careers.

However, certain workers face serious challenges. Office support staff, customer service workers, and data entry clerks are most at risk of losing their jobs to AI. Basic tasks like answering phones, filing paperwork, and simple calculations are being automated rapidly.

Manufacturing and warehouse workers also face job losses as robots become more capable. The report shows that jobs requiring basic cognitive skills and repetitive physical work are disappearing fastest.

Company Size Matters for Job Security

The impact of AI depends heavily on where you work. Large corporations are more likely to cut jobs because of AI automation. A survey found that big companies expect to reduce their workforce, while small and medium businesses actually plan to hire more people.

This difference exists because small companies often have workers who do many different tasks. It's much harder for AI to replace someone who handles customer service, bookkeeping, and inventory all in one job. Large companies have more specialized positions that AI can take over completely.

The "Workslop" Crisis Hurting Teams

A disturbing trend called "workslop" is damaging workplace relationships. This happens when employees use AI tools to quickly create work that looks professional but doesn't actually help anyone. The work might be a fancy presentation or a long report, but it lacks real thought or useful information.

Research found that 41% of workers have received workslop from their colleagues. Each time this happens, it takes almost two hours to figure out what to do with the useless work. This costs companies an average of $186 per worker each month.

For a company with 10,000 employees, workslop costs over $9 million per year in lost productivity. But the money isn't the only problem.

Trust Between Coworkers Breaking Down

Workslop is seriously damaging relationships at work. When employees receive poor AI-generated work from colleagues, 53% feel annoyed, 38% feel confused, and 22% feel offended. Even worse, about half of workers start to think less of the person who sent the workslop.

They see these colleagues as less creative, less capable, and less reliable. Some workers (42%) even think the person is less trustworthy, and 37% question their intelligence. About one-third of workers report these incidents to managers, which can damage careers.

IT Workers Face Biggest Changes

Information Technology departments are experiencing the most dramatic changes from AI. IT managers expect their teams to shrink by about 10% over the next year as AI tools take over coding and data analysis tasks.

Software development has become a key area where AI excels. New AI tools can write code, fix bugs, and even create entire programs with minimal human help. This makes some programming jobs unnecessary, but it also creates opportunities for workers who learn to use these AI tools effectively.

What This Means for Workers

The message for employees is clear: adaptation is essential. Workers who learn to use AI tools effectively are becoming more valuable, while those who resist change or use AI poorly face job risks.

Companies are investing heavily in retraining programs to help workers learn new skills. However, the pace of change means workers must take personal responsibility for staying current with new technology.

The next few years will determine whether AI becomes a tool that helps workers be more productive and creative, or whether it creates widespread unemployment and workplace dysfunction. The choice largely depends on how well both companies and individual employees adapt to these powerful new technologies.