Geoffrey Hinton, widely recognized as the “Godfather of AI,” recently issued a stark warning. He emphasized that artificial intelligence is progressing at an astonishingly rapid pace. Its capacity to handle tasks is doubling approximately every seven months. By 2026, AI is poised to acquire the ability to take over a substantial portion of jobs, potentially sparking a fresh wave of unemployment.

Hinton pointed out that AI's capabilities have undergone a remarkable transformation. Initially, it was limited to managing short - lived programming tasks. Over time, it has advanced to the point where it can successfully complete projects that last an hour. Looking ahead, there is a real possibility that AI will be capable of taking on software engineering projects that span several months. Such a development would inevitably lead to a significant decline in the demand for human labor.

Several economists have weighed in on this issue, predicting that by 2026, we might witness a scenario of “prosperity without job growth.” In this scenario, companies would heavily rely on AI to boost efficiency, all the while refraining from expanding their workforce. However, it's not all doom and gloom. AI could also have a positive impact on the job market by driving recruitment for entry - level and senior management positions. This, in turn, would lead to a reshaping of the overall labor force structure.