On a positive note, Bloom believes AI could enhance the productivity of hybrid workers, who work from the office a few days a week. He also suggests that jobs requiring physical labor and specialized skills in unpredictable environments, such as repair services, hospitality, agriculture, and healthcare, may be safer from AI replacement. However, a study by Goldman Sachs indicates that AI could disrupt up to 300 million full-time jobs globally, particularly affecting white-collar workers.
Key takeaways:
- Fully remote jobs, especially those that are repetitive, are at high risk of being replaced by AI, according to Stanford economics professor Nicholas Bloom.
- Jobs that require some in-person interaction are less likely to be replaced by AI, as AI cannot replicate in-person activities such as managing or mentoring.
- AI could potentially enhance the productivity of hybrid workers, those who work from the office a certain number of times a week.
- Jobs that require physical labor and a specialized skillset, like repair services, hospitality, agriculture, and healthcare, may be safer from AI replacement.