‘Toy Story 5’ taps into white-collar fears of obsolescence in the age of AI

Toy Story 5, released today, explores themes of obsolescence and the fear of being replaced by technology, mirroring concerns amplified by the rise of artificial intelligence. The film's plot centers on toys fearing replacement by a tablet named Lilypad, prompting them to seek help from their old friend Woody. This narrative echoes the original 1995 Toy Story, which depicted friction between Woody and the new toy Buzz Lightyear, a dynamic relatable to modern workers facing technological displacement. The franchise's recurring theme of replacement resonates with white-collar professionals who utilize computers for their work and are increasingly concerned about AI's potential to automate their roles. An MIT labor simulator, the Iceberg Index, indicated that 11.7% of the U.S. labor market possesses skills with significant overlap with AI capabilities, representing a potential loss of $1.2 trillion in wages. Further supporting these concerns, Goldman Sachs economist Elsie Peng calculated that AI has already reduced monthly payroll growth by approximately 16,000 jobs in the United States.