AI Job Apocalypse Postponed
In my publication, Artificial Intelligence and Work: The Impact on Jobs, Skills, and Careers, I clearly stated that artificial intelligence is a net job generator, not a job killer.
„AI is a net job creator, not a job killer!“ — Günther Singer
The article was published at the end of 2025 and used data mainly from 2023 to 2025. Since then, a lot has happened, including some layoffs linked to AI. More about that in my forthcoming publication at the end of 2026, Artificial Intelligence Jobs and Careers: Strategies for Managing Disruptive Change.
"Perhaps machines will make many humans unemployable eventually—but there is no sign of it yet."
(The Economist, Sep 4th 2026).
"Perhaps machines will make many humans unemployable eventually—but there is no sign of it yet." (The Economist, Sep 4th 2026). Almost a year later, The Economist echoes my research. This is good news, not just for the quality of my research work but especially for university graduates who were potentially among the first groups hit because they lack the deep domain experience needed to use artificial intelligence. Yes, it is more difficult for graduates to find jobs than before COVID-19 hit. But this is mainly because companies are struggling with a turbulent geopolitical and economic situation.
"The Economist estimates that AI has so far created around 1m new jobs in America. That easily exceeds the roughly 200,000 lay-offs attributed to ai since mid-2023, and appears more than enough to offset weaker hiring in many back-office roles." (The Economist, Sep 4th 2026).
New university-level jobs are created, but the building boom (data centers) also creates hard-hat labor jobs. "LinkedIn, a social network for strivers, estimates that nearly half a million data-centre jobs were created between 2023 and 2025 in America, with technicians and engineers among the most common recent hires."(The Economist, Sep 4th 2026).
And a final quote: "Some professions are suffering. Since January 2023 employment has fallen by about 10% among customer-service workers, and by roughly 15% among secretaries and administrative assistants." (The Economist, Sep 4th 2026).
Should you relax and say everything stays mostly the same? Be happy that the change AI is bringing comes with an upfront bonus. Massive investments create jobs. But companies investing now will want a return on their investments. This is when risk goes up; you might lose your job to AI or to job culling to recoup investments.
„Make good use of the bonus time until the job churn starts!”
So make good use of the bonus time until the job churn starts. This will include reductions in certain job categories. On the bright side, new job categories are emerging, with new qualifications linked to artificial intelligence.
More about that in my forthcoming publication at the end of 2026, Artificial Intelligence Jobs and Careers: Strategies for Managing Disruptive Change.
Be meaningful and curious!
Sources
Hofbauer, G. (2025). Artificial Intelligence in Business and Engineering. Kohlhammer Verlag.
Hofbauer, G. (2026). Applied Artificial Intelligence in Management and Industry: Shaping Innovation, Operations and Decision-Making. Kohlhammer Verlag.
Singer, G. (2025). Artificial Intelligence and Work - The Impact on Jobs, Skills, and Careers. In G. Hofbauer (Ed.), Artificial Intelligence in Business and Engineering. Kohlhammer Verlag.
Singer, G. (2026). Artificial Intelligence Jobs and Careers: Strategies for Managing Disruptive Change. In G. Hofbauer (Ed.), Applied Artificial Intelligence in Management and Industry: Shaping Innovation, Operations and Decision-Making. Kohlhammer Verlag.
The Economist. (May 14th 2026). Prepare for an AI jobs apocalypse. https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/05/14/prepare-for-an-ai-jobs-apocalypse
The Economist. (Sep 4th 2026). The jobs apocalypse is postponed. An AI jobs boom is here. https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/09/04/the-jobs-apocalypse-is-postponed-an-ai-jobs-boom-is-here
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