First it was Target and Meta, now Amazon and United Parcel Service have joined the fray.  What are we talking about? Superintelligence. All of these companies have recently announced that they will be making significant cuts to their workforce within the coming days. Why does this matter to you? Well, you could say that AI is coming for our jobs. That’s right. We are in the early phase of a technology revolution that is expected to dramatically change the shape and size of the global workforce.   

The recently announced job cuts will primarily affect white collar positions, many at the entry level. What’s making headlines this time though, is that the companies are making the cuts because they believe that the use of AI in the workplace means that fewer people are needed to achieve the same level of output and productivity. These cuts foreshadow a new dynamic in the labor force, one in which there are fewer entry level jobs and potentially fewer white collar positions in general. For entry level job seekers, it means more people will be chasing fewer openings. For many white collar workers, it probably means a heavier workload. Keep in mind that these are the early days of the superintelligence revolution. The reshaping of the workforce where automation replaces experienced people is just the beginning.  

Discussion Questions:

  1. Consider the role of superintelligence in the workplace when it comes to output and productivity. How is AI likely to change the shape and size of the global workforce?
  2. What structural changes to white collar jobs do you see as a result of the superintelligence revolution? How can you make yourself a more attractive job applicant at a time when jobs are being lost to technology?