According to PwC’s 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer report, artificial intelligence has the potential to enhance human value in the workforce. Yet, reality paints a different picture.
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The lack of hiring in white-collar jobs cannot be placed solely at the feet of artificial intelligence. Economists argue that the contraction we see is rooted in deeper structural problems within the economy.
For the past two years, professional and business services—a sector that encompasses educated, middle to upper-class workers—has seen stagnant hiring.
Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that job growth in this sector declined to -0.4% in May, a drop from -0.2% in April. As Cory Stahle from Indeed points out, this decline signifies a loss of opportunities, not an AI takeover.
In stark contrast, fields like health care, construction, and manufacturing have flourished, with health care alone adding 62,000 jobs in May. The numbers draw a clear line between economic management and burgeoning sectors, highlighting a failure of leadership in prioritizing traditional job growth.
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Economists now argue that the downturn in white-collar job openings is not the result of AI disruption but rather systemic issues that government failures have exacerbated.
“We know for a fact that it’s not AI,” asserts Alí Bustamante from the Roosevelt Institute. This sentiment is echoed by Indeed’s Stahle, who highlights this as more of an economic narrative than a technological crisis.
AI’s impact remains in its infancy
Various factors contribute to AI not being the villain of the job market narrative. First, the decline in white-collar job creation is a trend that has been ongoing for years, well before advanced AI technology came into play. When AI was developing, its capabilities were minimal, rendering the fears of job loss utterly misplaced.
Current AI technologies remain primitive, unable to perform essential tasks without human oversight, revealing a significant gap between hype and reality, as noted by Stahle.
A 2024 report from Indeed shows that among over 2,800 skills identified, none are “very likely” to be rendered obsolete by generative artificial intelligence. In fact, about 68.7% of these skills are rated as “very unlikely” or “unlikely” to be replaced, emphasizing the resilience of the human workforce.
“We might reach a point where AI plays a more damaging role, but as it stands, we’re not there yet,” Stahle cautions.
‘Transformations in job roles ahead’
While AI may not have led to widespread job displacement yet, it is clear that disruption is on the horizon. “Jobs are going to transform,” Stahle concedes. This acknowledgment should serve as a wake-up call to workers and policymakers alike.
Notably, demand for consulting roles centered on AI implementation has surged, accounting for 12.4% of generative AI job postings. This is not just a mere trend; it signals a coming torrent of economic change.
A separate January report from the World Economic Forum paints a picture of a dual-edged sword: while new technology could create around 170 million jobs by 2030, it may also displace about 92 million existing roles. Knowledge-based workers must focus on developing skills related to AI to remain relevant. The time for personal responsibility and proactive adaptation is now.
As we face these challenges, it’s crucial to remember our traditional values and principles. Embracing free-market ideals while resisting the looming threat of inflated government influence will pave the way for true economic growth and opportunity.
