Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, the debate about technology's impact on jobs has reignited. This podcast delves into the real-world labour-market fallout of the ChatGPT era, moving beyond the sensational headlines to explore what has actually transpired.
We'll examine global unemployment trends, noting that joblessness was already on a downward trajectory before generative AI became widespread. While a broad-based rise in unemployment attributable to AI hasn't occurred, we explore the specific pockets of displacement that are very real, particularly affecting younger US tech workers and entry-level white-collar roles in the UK. Discover how sectors like technology, professional services, finance, and retail are experiencing significant shifts and AI-related layoffs, with nearly 78,000 tech jobs impacted in the first half of 2025 alone.
Conversely, we'll highlight the resilience of human-centric sectors like healthcare and education, where AI serves to augment rather than replace human judgment and empathy. The episode also unpacks the critical role of reskilling initiatives and the emergence of "ethical AI jobs" in shaping the future of work. Ultimately, the podcast argues that the future of work 2025 hinges on human-machine symbiosis and smart policy choices, rather than a simple narrative of displacement or universal gain.
