This Weekly Update: How AI is Changing Jobs

Companies are making changes because of AI, but not exactly the way many people thought. A new report found that companies are laying off workers in advance of AI's impact, not because AI is already replacing them. Right now, the United States still has low unemployment, but leaders at big companies like Amazon and Ford say many office jobs will disappear soon.

Most workers can adapt to change, according to research from the Brookings Institution. About 70% of the 37.1 million workers who face exposure to AI have the skills and resources to find new jobs if they need to. However, approximately 6.1 million workers, mostly in administrative and clerical roles, may struggle to transition to different work. These workers often have lower savings, fewer skills that transfer to other jobs, and fewer job opportunities nearby.

AI is actually making people more productive at work right now. A new survey found that nearly 39% of employees saw real productivity improvements from using AI tools over the past year. But here's the problem: only 34% of workers say their companies clearly explained how AI will affect their jobs. This confusion is creating anxiety among workers, especially younger employees entering the workforce.

Women may face bigger challenges from AI changes. Researchers found that of the workers most likely to struggle with AI-related job changes, about 86% are women, mostly in clerical and administrative positions. However, experts say this is about the type of work these women do, not about their abilities.

Young adults have complicated feelings about AI. A recent survey of people aged 18-28 found that 79% believed AI makes people lazier, yet 74% reported using AI tools regularly. Young workers are using AI more and more, sometimes even when their employers tell them not to. This shows that young people understand AI can help them work faster, even while worrying about its drawbacks.