Dario Amodei, CEO of AI company Anthropic, predicts that artificial intelligence could eliminate half of all entry-level white-collar jobs within the next one to five years. The 42-year-old executive warned that unemployment could rise to 10-20% as AI technology rapidly improves, Axios reports.
Amodei claims AI systems are becoming better than humans at intellectual tasks across technology, finance, law, and consulting sectors. He argues that most workers remain unaware of this threat and that government officials and business leaders are not adequately preparing for the transition.
The Anthropic CEO describes a scenario where “cancer is cured, the economy grows at 10% a year, the budget is balanced — and 20% of people don’t have jobs.” He suggests implementing a “token tax” on AI companies, with 3% of their revenue going to government redistribution programs.
Current AI developments driving concerns
Major tech companies are developing AI “agents”: systems designed to perform human work tasks independently rather than just assisting workers. Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg told podcaster Joe Rogan that AI could replace mid-level engineers as early as 2025. Several companies have already announced job cuts, citing AI-related operational changes.
Microsoft eliminated 6,000 positions, while Walmart cut 1,500 corporate jobs. CrowdStrike reduced its workforce by 500 employees, specifically mentioning AI’s impact on their industry.
Skepticism from critics and experts
CNN’s analysis questions Amodei’s motives, noting he profits from the technology he warns about. The report describes his predictions as part of Silicon Valley’s “hype machine,” pointing out that he provided no research or evidence for his 50% job loss estimate.
Labor economist Aaron Sojourner called Amodei’s vision of high unemployment alongside strong economic growth “wildly unprecedented.” He noted that even during major computer adoption in the 1980s and 1990s, labor productivity grew only 2-3%.
Tech entrepreneur Mark Cuban dismissed the warnings, comparing them to historical job displacement from typewriters and secretaries. He argued that new AI-driven companies will create more total employment opportunities.
Amodei acknowledges the contradiction in warning about technology his company develops but maintains that transparency serves workers’ interests. Anthropic positions itself as an AI safety-focused company, distinguishing itself from competitors through emphasis on potential risks.
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