AI job loss fears are rising after AI safety researcher Dr Roman Yampolskiy said automation could remove most human jobs within five years. He shared the comments during an interview on The Diary of a CEO podcast hosted by Steven Bartlett. He linked the warning to advances in artificial general intelligence and long-term risks for labour markets.
What changed in AI job loss discussions
Dr Yampolskiy, a professor at the University of Louisville, said AI systems may outperform humans across many tasks as early as 2027. He argued that both cognitive work and physical labour could shift quickly to machines. He also said earlier technology waves created new roles, but current AI tools may not follow the same pattern.
AI replacing human labour across industries
The researcher said AI replacing human labour could extend beyond factories and offices. He pointed to creative work, media production, and content-based jobs as areas also facing automation pressure. He suggested only a limited number of roles may remain because some people still prefer human interaction or human-made services.
Impact on workers amid AI job loss
Dr Yampolskiy listed a few job categories that might continue. These include small markets for handmade crafts, counselling based on lived human experience, and roles linked to AI oversight. He also mentioned intermediaries who help organisations understand and deploy AI systems. Still, he said these roles would not support today’s workforce size.
How the new system may evolve
He also discussed the idea of a technological singularity around 2045. He described it as a point where AI-driven progress moves faster than humans can track or predict. He compared it to product development accelerating from yearly cycles to constant rapid iteration.
For now, the comments add to ongoing debate about AI job loss, regulation, and how governments and companies may respond as automation expands.
