“Robots are ruling the world now,” “AI is here to make you jobless!”
Does this sound familiar?
Thousands of people had similar thoughts when AI became more popular in 2023.
In fact, there were several debates about AI taking away our jobs. I remember being in one sometime last year.
Even more, some companies laid off some of their staff to accommodate the use of AI.
So the popular question now is, “How long will it be till AI replaces our jobs?
Your answer is in this AI-replacing jobs statistics post I created. Researching this post opened my eyes to how AI and humans can work together to get maximum output.
Keep reading to learn more insights that you can use to your advantage.
The Growth of AI in the Job Market
1. The US generative AI market size was estimated to have reached $4.06 billion in 2023. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 36.3% from 2024 to 2030.
(Grandview Research)
General AI Replacing Jobs Statistics
2. About 77% of businesses already use AI.
(Yahoo Finance)
AI is already becoming a prevalent tool in the business world.
Most businesses are already using AI technologies to some extent. This could include applications such as customer service chatbots, data analysis, marketing automation, etc.
AI technology is much needed to drive innovation and efficiency.
3. 81% of employees believe AI improves their overall performance at work.
(SnapLogic)
AI helps to improve employees’ overall performance at home by automating tasks and providing meaningful insights.
These insights would help to influence decision-making.
Additionally, AI can help employees learn new skills by providing access to training materials and real-time feedback.
4. In May 2023, 3,900 jobs were lost in the U.S. due to AI.
(CBS News)
According to CBS, AI tools like ChatGPT will replace more jobs in the coming years.
However, humans and AI can collaborate to produce more efficiency.
Some of the jobs at risk of replacement are:
- Computer programming: ChatGPT can write content and computer codes for programming applications and software.
- Mid-level writing: AI can create press releases, basic advertising copy, and human resource letters. Not much creativity is needed for these.
- Media planning and buying
- Legal functions: ChatGPT and other advanced generative AI can draft legal documents like home lease agreements, NDAs, and wills.
5. 68% of employees want their employers to deploy more AI-based technology.
(SnapLogic)
AI technology can help businesses cut costs by reducing the need for human labor.
It can help employers become more competitive by increasing productivity and efficiency.
Also, AI-based technology can help employers gain an edge over their competitors by providing access to new insights and data.
6. 56% of workers stated they already use AI to assist with their daily work.
(SnapLogic)
7. 89% of employees believe AI could support them in up to half their workload.
(SnapLogic)
8. 61% of employees gain efficiency and productivity from using AI. And 49% of employees can work in shorter times.
(SnapLogic)
Over half of employees say they increased productivity and output thanks to AI. AI streamlines tasks, automates processes or provides valuable insights.
AI saves time. When you look at it thoroughly, AI is actually helping to handle mundane tasks that can be time-consuming, boring, and repetitive.
Instead of wasting time on such tasks, you can focus on more important ones. In fact, 49% of employees admitted they completed their work within a shorter time.
9. 38% of employees gained improved creativity, 37% gained better collaboration, and 35% gained better customer engagement.
(SnapLogic)
10. 35% of organizations claim to be reskilling and training employees to work with new AI and automation software and tools.
(IBM)
Instead of massively firing employees, 35% of companies say they are reskilling and training their employees to collaborate with AI and improve efficiency.
AI is mighty. However, it is also very limited.
For example, ChatGPT’s knowledge is limited to September 2021, so it cannot produce accurate information regarding recent events.
So what?
Companies still need human knowledge to fact-check, research, and perform where AI is limited.
11. 65% of companies use AI to relieve their manual stress, and 45% use AI to enhance their human resources and recruiting processes.
(IBM)
12. 22% of employees tackle tasks with new automation software and tools, and 50% use AI tools to increase their learning and training.
(IBM)
AI is not only being used by businesses but also by individual employees to improve their productivity and skills.
Many employees use new automation software and tools to tackle their tasks more efficiently. Half the employees leverage AI tools to enhance their learning and training.
AI is beneficial not just to businesses but also to employees. Employees can increase productivity, skill development, and job satisfaction with these technologies.
13. 30% of employees claim to save time with new AI and automation software and tools.
(IBM)
By streamlining tasks and automating repetitive work, AI can help employees focus on more creative and strategic work.
This leads to increased productivity and job satisfaction.
However, not all employees may experience these benefits equally, and some jobs may be at a higher risk of displacement due to automation.
14. 1 in 4 companies is adopting AI because of labor and skills shortages.
(IBM)
It’s one thing to have available workers and another to have available skilled workers.
This statistic highlights the role of AI in addressing labor and skill shortages many companies face.
With the demand for skilled workers exceeding the available supply in many industries, companies are turning to AI to help fill the gap.
By automating tasks and augmenting human abilities, AI can help companies remain competitive and productive even when faced with labor shortages.
15. 14% of employees in workplaces say they have lost their jobs due to replacement from robots.
(Sage Journals)
Let’s not deny it: AI threatens some jobs, especially those requiring repetitive tasks.
Automation is beneficial in terms of efficiency and productivity. Nonetheless, it can also lead to job displacement and economic disruption.
Small businesses are more likely to forego human capacity for AI so they can cut costs.
However, based on popular opinion, AI should not displace employees but increase efficiency to produce better results.
16. There has been a 50%-70% change in wages since 1980. This is due to wage declines among blue-collar workers replaced or displaced by AIs.
(NBER)
17. 43% of businesses indicated that they were set to reduce their workforce due to technology integration.
(World Economic Forum)
18. However, 34% of businesses planned to expand their workforce due to technological integration.
(World Economic Forum)
While automation and technology integration can lead to job displacement in some cases, it can also create new job opportunities and drive workforce expansion in others.
As some businesses plan on reducing the human workforce, others plan on increasing it.
This just proves that businesses are handling AI integrations differently.
The fact that 34% of businesses still want to expand their workforce despite technological integration proves that automation is not necessarily a job killer.
Instead, it is a job transformer.
While some jobs may be lost to automation, new jobs that require different skills and expertise are also being created.
For example, automation may lead to job growth in robotics, AI development, and data analysis. It can also lead to roles that require human skills such as creativity, empathy, and critical thinking.
19. It is assumed that by 2025, a shift in the division of labor between humans and machines could displace 85 million jobs.
(World Economic Forum)
On the other hand, about 97 million new roles may also arise because of the division of labor between humans and machines.
20. Business leaders expect that employees will acquire new skills on the job, an estimated increase from 65% in 2018 to 94% currently.
(World Economic Forum)
According to company estimates, approximately 40% of employees will need to reskill within six months.
21. AI is estimated to boost global labor productivity and increase annual global GDP by 7%.
(Goldman Sachs)
22. 18% of work globally could be automated by AI on an employment-weighted basis.
(Goldman Sachs)
Considering various jobs on a global scale, approximately 18% of tasks within those jobs could potentially be automated by artificial intelligence.
However, while automation may eliminate some jobs, it can also create new opportunities and reshape the nature of work.
So you can say it’s a 50:50 situation.
23. generative AI could expose about 300 million full-time jobs to replacement.
(Goldman Sachs)
24. 68% of companies with fully remote workforces say they are taking steps to incorporate the latest generative AI technologies into their business strategies.
(Upwork)
Companies with fully remote workforces actively integrate the latest generative AI technologies into their business strategies.
This integration could involve automation, machine learning, or other AI applications to enhance efficiency and productivity.
Positively, generative AI can automate repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on more complex and creative aspects of their roles.
This could lead to increased job satisfaction and skill development.
Conversely, concerns arise about job displacement as AI takes over certain functions.
25. Compared to large companies with 5000+ employees, about 62% of small and mid-sized companies are more likely to integrate generative AI into their workflows.
(Upwork)
Small and mid-sized businesses are more inclined to incorporate generative AI into their operations than larger enterprises with 5000+ employees.
SMBs will prefer to use more AI because it has the potential to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, or improve productivity in ways that are particularly beneficial for smaller-scale operations.
However, companies may need to employ more humans to fill roles AI can’t handle over time.
26. Almost three out of five business leaders are incorporating generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney into their work systems.
(Upwork)
27. 64% of executives plan to hire more experts to occupy AI roles.
(Upwork)
There is a growing demand for AI experts, as many executives plan to hire more employees to fill AI-related roles.
Many businesses need skilled workers to develop, implement, and maintain AI systems.
This means there is potential for job growth and opportunities in AI, particularly for workers with technical skills like machine learning, data science, and software development.
28. According to a recent report, British Telecom has a plan to automate the work of 10,000 employees through AI technology over the next seven years
(Daily Mail)
29. Most employees in non-tech-related positions are concerned with the implications of the increased use of AI.
(Statista)
Many employees who work in non-technical fields are worried about the potential impacts of increased AI adoption on their jobs and livelihoods.
This concern is understandable, given the potential for AI to automate tasks and displace workers in specific industries.
There are several reasons why non-technical workers may be concerned about the increased use of AI.
For example, AI could automate tasks previously performed by humans, leading to job displacement and unemployment.
AI could also change the nature of work, requiring workers to adapt to new technologies and processes, which can be stressful and challenging.
30. 41% of employees in South Africa, Portugal, and Spain were most concerned with their jobs being replaced by AI and automation.
(Statista)
31. About 46% of employees in the United States expressed anxiety in 2023 regarding the possibility that artificial intelligence may eventually replace human journalists.
(Statista)
Nearly half of US employees are concerned about AI’s potential to replace human journalists.
Again, this concern is understandable, given the recent advancements in natural language processing and AI-generated content.
These advancements could potentially automate some aspects of journalism, such as content generation and fact-checking.
However, while AI may automate specific tasks, it cannot fully replace the unique skills and expertise that human journalists bring to their work.
For example, human journalists can provide context, analysis, and empathy in their reporting, which is difficult for AI to replicate.
Nevertheless, AI will continue to transform the field of journalism, and journalists will need to adapt to these changes.
32. 27% of people believed AI would replace humans in various roles within their lifetime.
(Statista)
Also, 44% of people believe that AI replacement will happen eventually, but not in their lifetime.
33. Total spending on AI contracts has risen nearly 2.5× since 2017. The US government spends around $1.3 billion on AI technology.
(Fedscoop)
34. Eight out of 10 (about 58.87 million) women in the US were more at risk of losing their jobs to AI. This figure is compared to 6 out of 10 men (48.62 million) who lost their jobs to AI.
(Kenan Institute)
35. Generative AI could automate up to a quarter of the work tasks performed today in various sectors.
(Kenan Institute)
Statistics on Different Jobs and Their Exposure to Loss Due to the Use of AI
36. According to research, 78% of legal occupations will most likely become obsolete in 2023 due to AI.
(Tech.co)
The research found that AI will have the most effect on white-collar workers.
Let’s look at some jobs and the percentage that will be affected.
Occupation | Percentage at risk of replacement |
---|---|
Legal | 78% |
Life, physical, and social science | 61% |
Office and administrative support | 57% |
Computer and mathematical | 53% |
Healthcare practitioners and technical | 50% |
Architecture and engineering | 48% |
Business and financial operations | 47% |
Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media | 41% |
Management | 38% |
Educational instruction and library | 33% |
Food preparation and serving | 24% |
Sales | 23% |
Healthcare support | 21% |
Personal care and service | 19% |
Farming, fishing, and forestry | 18% |
Community and social service | 13% |
Production, building and grounds, cleaning, and maintenance. | 7% |
Installation, maintenance, and repair | 5% |
Construction and extraction | 2% |
37. 60% of Europeans aged 25-34 and 56% aged 34-44 supported replacing lawmakers with AI.
(CNBC)
38. 75% of people in China supported replacing lawmakers with AI.
(CNBC)
In 2023, ChatGPT (a generative AI) passed 4 law exams from the University of Minnesota. Although the AI didn’t pass with high marks, it completed 95 multiple-choice questions and 12 essays.
ChatGPT passed with a C.
39. 60% of Americans opposed the replacement of lawmakers with AIs.
(CNBC)
FAQs
1. How will AI Reshape Jobs?
AI can help humans set aside repetitive and mundane tasks to focus on tasks that enhance productivity.
This helps to save time and energy while ensuring that employees’ efforts are not wasted.
2. How Many Jobs Are Replaced by AI?
According to a report by Goldman Sachs, AI could potentially replace the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs, which is about a quarter of the current global workforce.
3. What Percent of People Have Lost Their Jobs to AI?
A recent report from ResumeBuilder found that 37% of business leaders reported replacing workers with AI in 2023.
Also, 44% of companies say AI integration will lead to layoffs in 2024.
Another report from CBS News estimated that AI was linked to 3,900 job losses in the United States in May 2023
4. What Percentage of Jobs Will AI Replace by 2030?
According to a report by McKinsey Global Institute, around 15% of the global workforce, or about 400 million workers, could potentially be displaced by automation and AI by 2030.
However, the report also estimates that new jobs will be created in the process and that about 8-9% of the global workforce will be in new occupations that don’t exist today.
So, while AI may replace a significant percentage of existing jobs by 2030, it’s also likely to create new job opportunities in emerging fields related to AI and automation.
5. What Jobs Are Hardest to Replace by AI?
The hardest jobs to replace by AI require high levels of creativity, empathy, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills.
Some examples of jobs that are hardest to replace by AI include:
- Mental health professionals, such as therapists and counselors
- Social workers and other roles that require empathy and human connection
- Teachers and educators who can provide personalized instruction and mentorship
- Leadership roles that require strategic thinking, decision-making, and emotional intelligence
6. How Can Employees be Prepared for Job Changes?
Employees can be prepared for job changes by simply developing easily adaptable skills to the changes in job search.