The CEO of leading AI firm Anthropic, Dario Amodei, has warned that artificial intelligence may wipe out up to 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs within the next five years, calling for urgent action from both governments and businesses.
In a candid interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Amodei said that while AI offers enormous potential, it could also lead to major job displacement, and society is not ready.
“AI is starting to outperform humans in nearly all intellectual tasks,” Amodei said. “This is something we’ll all need to confront.”
He added that AI tools developed by his company are capable of doing tasks such as summarising documents, analysing data, writing reports, and coding — as effectively as a top college graduate, and for nearly seven hours a day.
AI Could Drive Unemployment to 20% by 2030
Amodei predicted that AI’s rapid evolution could push US unemployment rates to 20% by the end of the decade, unless proactive measures are taken.
Despite the economic advantages for his own company, he called on US lawmakers to consider taxing AI labs to help manage the disruption.
“It’s not in my financial interest to say this, but I think someone needs to speak out,” he said. “The public and many policymakers don’t fully grasp what’s coming.”
In a separate interview with Axios, Amodei said the changes would come fast — possibly in just a few years — and predicted a future where the economy thrives but millions are unemployed.
Workforce Not Ready for What’s Ahead
A World Economic Forum report in January found that 41% of businesses plan to reduce staff by 2030 due to AI automation. Roles like graphic designers and legal secretaries are among the fastest-declining jobs, the report said, citing the rise of generative AI.
In Australia, a Social Policy Group study predicted that one in three workers could be displaced by 2030 without intervention, especially in knowledge-based and manual jobs.
Still, it’s not all bad news. The WEF also found that nearly 70% of companies expect to hire AI-skilled workers, and 62% plan to hire staff who can work alongside the technology.
Recruiter Heather Doshay from SignalFire told Business Insider that AI won’t eliminate entire job categories, but it will absorb lower-skilled tasks, increasing pressure on workers and education providers to upskill rapidly.
Amodei: AI Can Still Do Good — But Action Is Needed Now
Amodei said he’s optimistic that AI can be used to benefit humanity, but only if society prepares.
“We can’t just sleepwalk into this,” he said. “We need to act now, put the right policies in place, and help people adapt.”
He added that while AI’s advancement is likely unstoppable, developers and governments must guide its progress responsibly, addressing the downsides while harnessing its benefits.
