[Un]necessary people in the age of AI

In early September, Anthropic economists released scenarios on how AI will reshape the US economy by 2030. The report suggests that while GDP could grow by a third, there will be a significant reduction in white-collar jobs. Although tradespeople like plumbers and electricians are currently in demand, the author questions the long-term security of these roles. It is argued that rapid advancements in robotics, driven by AI, could automate manual labor within the next 5–15 years. Furthermore, the displacement of office workers will likely create intense competition across the broader labor market. The article calls for a critical examination of automation, suggesting that current models may underestimate the speed of technological progress and its profound impact on future employment structures.