Artificial intelligence could lead to widespread job displacement, especially if an economic downturn occurs in 2025. According to Gary Grossman, EVP of technology practice at Edelman, while current AI-related job losses appear minimal, the pattern may follow a “gradually, then suddenly” trajectory. Grossman points to data showing that 40% of employers anticipate reducing their workforce between 2025 and 2030 in areas where AI can automate tasks.
Software development appears particularly vulnerable, with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei predicting that “we’re 3 to 6 months from a world where AI is writing 90% of the code.” Y Combinator’s managing partner Jared Friedman supports this trend, noting that 25% of startups in their winter 2025 cohort have 95% of their codebases generated by AI.
Despite widespread AI adoption—with 78% of organizations using AI in at least one business function according to McKinsey—only 1% of executives describe their generative AI implementations as mature. This suggests that while adoption is growing, the full impact on employment has yet to materialize.
Economists estimate a 40-50% chance of recession in 2025, which could accelerate AI adoption as companies seek cost efficiencies. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff recently stated, “We’re the last generation of CEOs to only manage humans. Every CEO going forward is going to manage humans and agents together.”