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AI Could Replace 11.7% of US Jobs, Study Warns
30 Nov
Summary
- MIT study estimates AI could replace 11.7% of US labor.
- A simulation modeled 151 million workers with 32,000 skills.
- Researchers urge policymakers to prepare for AI disruption.
A new study from MIT indicates that artificial intelligence could potentially replace 11.7% of existing jobs in the United States. This research, part of "Project Iceberg," utilized sophisticated simulations involving Large Population Models to analyze the U.S. labor market. The models digitally tracked 151 million workers, identifying 32,000 distinct skills and geographic factors to gauge AI's exposure.
The findings suggest that while AI currently accounts for 2.2% of labor market wage value, a substantial 11.7% of labor is exposed, meaning it could theoretically be replaced by AI software. The simulation provides tools for legislators and CEOs to identify high-risk areas and plan investments in training and infrastructure.
Despite the study's correlational nature and acknowledgment of "external factors" influencing AI's impact, the researchers stress that policymakers cannot afford to wait for conclusive causal evidence. The urgency is driven by AI's rapid advancement and the need for proactive preparation for its transformative effects on employment.
