Artificial intelligence isn’t just about chatbots anymore. The technology is accelerating at a pace that’s catching even industry insiders off guard. According to Adam Dorr, a researcher at think tank RethinkX, the transformation isn’t just inevitable—it’s happening now. And for those who think widespread automation is still decades away, Dorr has a blunt message: think again.
AI and Robotics: A Collision Course That Will Change Everything
For years, AI has lived in our devices, streamlining processes and making life more convenient. That’s about to change. The real breakthrough, Dorr argues, will come when AI is no longer confined to screens and code, but begins interacting with the physical world through robotics.
Self-driving cars are the first major step. While still facing regulatory hurdles, autonomous vehicles are already operating in select U.S. cities. And Dorr predicts they will dominate roads within the next two years.
“When people see cars driving around without steering wheels or human drivers, that’s when it’ll hit them,” he said. “That’s when they’ll realize this isn’t science fiction anymore.”
But it won’t stop there. Self-driving cars will be a gateway to AI-powered machines taking over other physical roles. From warehouse robots to humanoid assistants, the floodgates will open. Tesla’s Optimus bot, designed for household and industrial tasks, is just one example of a trend that’s about to explode.
The Labor Market Shake-Up: Who’s at Risk?
Many still assume that AI and automation will primarily affect blue-collar jobs. But the reality is far more complicated.
Dorr emphasizes that most jobs aren’t singular activities but rather collections of smaller tasks. AI will first assist with these tasks, improving efficiency, but will eventually eliminate the need for human workers entirely.
“AI won’t replace people overnight,” he said. “It will chip away at jobs, one task at a time.”
The numbers back up his claim:
- A ResumeBuilder survey found that 37% of companies using AI have already cut human workers.
- Another 44% of businesses are planning AI-driven layoffs in 2024.
But the disruption isn’t limited to factories or trucking. In fact, some of the most vulnerable roles are white-collar jobs—lawyers, financial analysts, customer service reps, and even journalists.
Consider the legal industry: AI can now analyze contracts in seconds, outperforming human paralegals. In finance, AI-powered trading algorithms are already dominating markets. Even content creation isn’t safe—AI-written scripts and news articles are becoming increasingly common.
A Future Without Jobs—Or a Future Without Scarcity?
One of the biggest concerns is what happens when robots become so efficient that labor becomes obsolete. Dorr paints two contrasting futures: one where wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few powerful corporations, and another where AI ushers in an era of abundance.
Imagine a world where robots build, farm, and manufacture so cheaply that basic goods are practically free. In that scenario, work as we know it could become optional.
But getting to that point won’t be smooth. Governments and businesses need to start planning now to prevent economic chaos. Some potential solutions include:
- Universal basic income (UBI) to support displaced workers.
- Restructuring education to focus on creativity and critical thinking rather than repetitive skills.
- Regulating AI ownership to prevent monopolization by tech giants.
Dorr warns that waiting until mass unemployment hits is not an option. “By the 2040s, there will be almost nothing a robot can’t do better and cheaper than a human,” he said.
Who Controls AI—and What That Means for the Future
Another growing concern is who will control AI as it becomes more powerful.
In January 2025, former President Donald Trump announced the launch of Stargate, a $500 billion AI infrastructure project backed by OpenAI, SoftBank, Oracle, and MGX. The investment is aimed at keeping the U.S. at the forefront of AI development.
But not everyone believes such efforts will benefit ordinary workers. A recent Prolific poll found that 38% of Americans doubt these investments will trickle down to them.
Then there’s the environmental impact. AI requires massive amounts of energy to function, with North American data centers doubling their electricity consumption in just one year. If AI-driven automation becomes widespread, will the planet be able to sustain it?
These are the questions policymakers and business leaders will have to answer—before the technology answers them on its own.
