Separate fact from fiction: AI and the future of work

The tech industry experienced approximately 80,000 global layoffs in the first quarter of 2026, with about half attributed to AI or automation, according to Shelly Ashwill, who has over three decades of leadership experience with Verizon and HCLTech. Goldman Sachs economists project that AI is reducing U.S. payroll growth by roughly 16,000 jobs per month in AI-exposed sectors. The World Economic Forum estimates that by 2030, AI will impact 92 million jobs worldwide, but concurrently, 170 million new roles could be created, resulting in a net increase of 80 million jobs over the coming years. This transformation is driven by factors including population growth, increased life expectancy leading to longer working lives, and the emergence of new job categories directly related to AI development and management. New positions such as AI trainers, governance and compliance specialists, and prompt engineers are becoming increasingly vital as organizations integrate AI responsibly. Ashwill emphasizes that AI is fundamentally reshaping the nature of work rather than solely leading to job elimination, urging tech sector employees to proactively assess their skills and adapt to evolving workforce demands.