AI could displace millions in U.S. jobs: Goldman Sachs

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — Artificial intelligence (AI) could reshape the United States labor market over the next decade, potentially displacing millions of workers while creating new opportunities, according to a report from Goldman Sachs. 

The rapid adoption of AI could particularly affect white-collar and knowledge-based jobs, highlighting one of the most significant shifts in the future of work.

AI’s growing impact on jobs

The effects of AI are already being felt in the tech, knowledge, and creative sectors. 

“You can see AI’s impact in the tech sector, where the employment share as a proportion of the whole economy has gone below the long term trend,” said Joseph Briggs, co-leader of Goldman Sachs’ global economics team.

In a base-case scenario, Goldman Sachs projects that 6-7% of U.S. workers could be displaced over the next ten years as firms adopt AI on a wide scale. 

“But if it’s more frontloaded, the impacts on the economy are much larger,” Briggs added. 

Globally, an estimated 300 million jobs are exposed to AI automation, and in the U.S., AI could potentially automate tasks that account for 25% of all work hours.

While entry-level knowledge and creative workers are most vulnerable, AI is also expected to create jobs in infrastructure and specialized sectors. 

The buildout of power and data centers alone could generate roughly 500,000 net new jobs by 2030, with hiring in construction-related roles already up by 216,000 since 2022.

New opportunities in the future of work

Beyond infrastructure, AI is driving demand for workers with specialized technical skills. 

“AI will also create new, specialized occupations—in, for example, fields like healthcare, where technological advancements in the past have made specialization possible,” Briggs said.

AI can further stimulate jobs indirectly by increasing discretionary demand in industries fueled by rising incomes, such as pet care, tutoring, and athletic coaching.

Despite these opportunities, uncertainty remains. The U.S. labor market has faced slowdowns due to tariffs and reduced immigration, contributing to an estimated rise in unemployment from 4.3% to 4.5% in 2026. 

“The big story in 2026 in labor will be AI,” Briggs said. “If we see some job losses pulled forward, that sets stage for potential underperformance relative to our forecast, and that may lead the Federal Reserve to cut rates.”

As AI continues to reshape industries, monitoring labor market data in real time will be crucial to understanding its impact on workers and the broader economy. For many, the rise of AI marks a defining moment in the future of work.