AI threatens fully remote jobs, says remote work expert
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — Remote work expert Nick Bloom warns that fully remote jobs face an existential threat from artificial intelligence (AI).
In a recent webinar by software company Scoop, Bloom claimed that fully remote employees could be easily replicated with AI.
“You could get close to my image. You could do my voice. You could probably get much of the discussion from ChatGPT,” he added.
Bloom also affirmed his belief that AI will likely replace easily outsourced, fully remote positions like data entry and call centers within three to five years.
However, he suggests AI can benefit hybrid roles requiring remote and in-person work.
“If you’re coming into the office two or three days a week, [A.I.] is probably going to support you and make you more productive,” Bloom said, adding that he’s seen his graduate students use it for coding assistance with great success.
The risk is greater for countries like India, the Philippines, and Mexico, which host many remote jobs. Bloom cited a friend of his in Indonesia and India who said that employment is already going down because of chatbots.
Meanwhile, as return-to-office (RTO) mandates rise amidst new COVID-19 waves, Bloom sees little change in office occupancy rates. Data from building security firm Kastle shows a consistent 47.2% occupancy in major U.S. cities.
“It feels like the [score of the] last three years has been, Work from home—three; return to office—zero… This is not a match that RTO is winning,” he concluded.
