AI Job Displacement: Myths, Truths, and What's Next

Artificial intelligence and automation are rapidly transforming the job market, with both challenges and opportunities ahead.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The job market is being transformed at breakneck speed by artificial intelligence, with millions of tech and administrative jobs cut, while new AI-driven roles are emerging faster than they can be filled. There's a growing mismatch between the skills employers need and what graduates offer, as robots take over more routine work. Yet, high-touch professions and skilled trades remain resilient, and entirely new careers in AI ethics, security, and architecture are booming. Investors are shifting toward infrastructure and resource plays to ride this accelerating wave.

Why it matters

The pace of technological change is unprecedented, requiring new forms of education and adaptation as AI and automation disrupt traditional jobs and create new ones. This highlights the need for workers to develop skills that complement rather than compete with AI, and for investors to identify emerging opportunities in the AI-driven economy.

The details

Major companies have cut millions of tech and administrative jobs due to AI and automation, while new AI-driven roles are emerging faster than they can be filled. Robots are revolutionizing work in factories, warehouses, and even the home, but high-touch professions like healthcare and skilled trades are less vulnerable to automation. The rise of new jobs in AI ethics, security, compliance, orchestration, and workflow design is creating a skills mismatch with recent graduates. Investors are moving away from expensive tech stocks toward infrastructure, utilities, and raw materials to support the AI revolution.

  • In 2025, around a million tech jobs and administrative roles were cut due to AI and automation.
  • The timeline for peak AI-driven job displacement is estimated to be between 2023 and 2028.
  • By 2030, nearly 85 to 92 million jobs are expected to be displaced globally due to AI and automation.

The players

Amazon

A major technology company that has cut tens of thousands of jobs using automation.

Microsoft

A major technology company that has cut tens of thousands of jobs using automation.

Salesforce

A major technology company that has cut tens of thousands of jobs using automation.

World Economic Forum

An international organization that has projected nearly 85 to 92 million jobs will be displaced globally by 2030 due to AI and automation.

Bloomberg

A financial media company that introduced its own large language model, Bloomberg GPT, into its terminals in 2023.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.