A leading artificial intelligence (AI) expert has issued a stark warning that is drawing global attention, claiming that rapid advances in AI could reshape the world of work far sooner than expected. Dr
Roman Yampolskiy, a Latvian-born computer scientist and professor at the University of Louisville, has said that Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) could arrive as early as 2027, potentially triggering widespread job losses across industries.
Speaking in a conversation with Steven Bartlett on The Diary of a CEO podcast, Dr Yampolskiy said AGI would be capable of performing every cognitive task better than humans. According to him, the consequences could be unprecedented, with up to 99% of jobs disappearing within the next five years.
Dr Yampolskiy, who has published more than 100 research papers on AI safety and risk, said there is virtually no profession that cannot be automated. He explained that while earlier technological advancements were designed to assist humans, AI is moving towards operating independently. As a result, he believes large-scale unemployment is not just possible but likely.
He noted that computer-based jobs would be the first to be replaced, followed by physical labour as humanoid robots become more advanced. By 2030, he said, machines could be capable of handling most forms of physical work. Such rapid changes, he warned, could push unemployment levels to heights never seen before.
“Even 10% unemployment is frightening, but AI could cause up to 99% unemployment,” he said, adding that current AI models already have the potential to replace around 60% of existing jobs. He also argued that many roles he described as “unnecessary” could vanish even without full automation.
Dr Yampolskiy expressed scepticism about retraining as a solution, stating that there may be no alternative career paths left if AI becomes capable of doing everything humans can. His projection of AGI arriving by 2027 is based on forecasts from prediction markets and statements by leaders of major AI companies. He added that once AGI emerges, superintelligent systems far smarter than humans could follow.
While his broader concern includes the long-term risks of superintelligence, his immediate focus remains on employment. He believes AI will outperform humans even in creative fields such as media production, content creation and podcasting, as machines can work faster, with greater accuracy and access to vast amounts of data.
Despite the bleak outlook, Dr Yampolskiy said a small number of roles may continue to exist. According to him, these 5 jobs would still remain.
- Personal Services for the Wealthy: Personalised services for the rich may continue to exist, as many high-net-worth individuals could still prefer human accountants, personal assistants and similar professionals over AI-driven alternatives.
- Emotion-Centred Roles: Jobs that require an emotional or personal touch are also likely to remain, particularly where empathy, trust and human connection are essential, such as certain therapy or relationship-based professions, though opportunities in this area may be limited.
- AI Oversight and Regulation: Specialists may be needed to monitor, control and regulate AI systems, especially as safety, ethical and operational concerns continue to persist.
- AI Intermediaries and Explainers: There could be demand for individuals who understand AI and help organisations or people adopt, deploy and interpret these technologies effectively.
- Prompt Engineers and Specialised AI Handlers: In the initial years, roles related to prompt engineering and handling AI systems may be available, but these could become less common over time as the technology becomes more advanced and self-sufficient.
He argued that societies may eventually need to adopt systems like Universal Basic Income, as AI could generate enough productivity and resources to support populations without traditional employment. However, he warned that existing social and economic systems are not prepared for such a shift.
The warning carries particular significance for countries with large young populations and existing employment challenges. If job losses occur at the pace predicted, millions could be affected. While many experts have called for governments to begin planning policy responses and investing in skill development, Dr Yampolskiy believes that retraining alone may not be sufficient to counter the scale of disruption AI could bring.
