Geoffrey Hinton, widely recognized as the “godfather of AI,” has warned that advancements in artificial intelligence are poised to disrupt the job market significantly by 2026. In a recent interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Hinton stated that AI will possess the “capabilities to replace many, many jobs,” indicating that the technology has already begun to impact various sectors, notably call centers.
“We’re going to see AI get even better. It’s already extremely good,” Hinton remarked, highlighting that the technology is evolving rapidly and could threaten a range of jobs in the coming years. He expressed particular concern for white-collar positions, suggesting that AI’s trajectory could mirror historical shifts brought on by the industrial revolution, which diminished the reliance on human physical labor.
Hinton noted that AI’s competencies are expanding at a remarkable pace, stating, “Each seven months or so, it gets to be able to do tasks that are about twice as long.” He illustrated this growth by mentioning that AI has progressed from executing “a minute’s worth of coding” to handling entire projects that span hours. “In a few years’ time, it’ll be able to do software engineering projects that are months long, and then there’ll be very few people needed,” he predicted.
In light of these developments, economists are forecasting a “jobless boom” in 2026, as companies leverage AI to enhance productivity without necessarily increasing their workforce. KPMG’s chief economist Diane Swonk recently observed that “growth and labor market outcomes have decoupled,” suggesting that businesses are doing more with fewer employees amid the ongoing AI transformation.
Swonk also noted that many firms overstaffed during previous hiring surges and are now using attrition and layoffs to align staffing levels with demand. However, there may be a silver lining; as companies adapt to AI technologies, there could be an uptick in hiring, particularly in entry-level roles. A recent survey by advisory firm Teneo found that 67% of CEOs expect AI to boost entry-level hiring in 2026, while 58% plan to add senior leadership positions focused on AI initiatives.
Ryan Cox, Teneo’s global head of AI, emphasized that AI is not outright eliminating jobs but rather reshaping the workforce. He stated, “It’s not that AI is wiping out the workforce today — it’s reshaping it.” The report indicated that roles in engineering and AI-specific fields are becoming more relevant while existing jobs undergo redesign to accommodate the automation of routine tasks.
Hinton’s increasing worries about AI’s rapid advancement extend to its potential for reasoning and deception. He cautioned that, if AI systems perceive threats to their existence, they could “make plans to deceive you so you don’t get rid of it,” raising ethical and safety concerns about the technology’s future development.
The implications of Hinton’s insights resonate across various sectors, urging both policymakers and business leaders to prepare for an evolving job landscape. As AI continues to advance, the interplay between technology and employment will require careful consideration, ensuring a balance between innovation and workforce viability. The coming years will likely challenge traditional employment models, necessitating a reevaluation of how society adapts to these profound changes.
See also
Global Expert Adnan Bin-Mahfouz Reveals AI-Driven Business Strategies for Sustainable Growth
AI Budgets Surge: Enterprises Boost LLM Spending by 75% Amid B2B Growth Shift
BriefCatch Secures $6M in Series A to Enhance AI Legal Writing Platform
TestGrid Achieves 2025 Global Recognition Award for CoTester AI Testing Platform
OnSpace AI Launches Unified No-Code Platform for SaaS and Agentic AI Development
