Anthropic CEO: AI can cause unemployment to reach 20% in 5 years

Anthropic CEO: AI can cause unemployment to reach 20% in 5 years

Anthropic's CEO, Dario Amodei, has raised alarms about the potential impact of AI on the workforce, predicting that AI could lead to a 20% unemployment rate within the next five years. Amodei, speaking to CNN, expressed concerns that entry-level white-collar roles could be the hardest hit, with up to half potentially eliminated as AI becomes more capable [1].

Amodei's comments echo growing unease among industry leaders about the broader economic consequences of AI. A 2024 survey from the World Economic Forum found that 41% of employers globally expect to reduce their workforce by 2030 due to AI automation [2]. The AI startup, founded by former OpenAI researchers, has recently launched a new model capable of operating with limited human oversight for nearly seven hours, further underscoring the potential for automation.

While proponents of AI often emphasize its productivity benefits, Amodei's warnings highlight the need for policy interventions. He has proposed taxing AI companies to redistribute the wealth generated by the technology. "It’s definitely not in my economic interest to say that," Amodei told CNN, "but I think this is something we should consider."

Conversely, billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban challenged these concerns, arguing that AI will create more employment opportunities than it eliminates. Cuban, who previously advised young people to "spend every waking minute learning about AI," believes that new companies and jobs will emerge from AI adoption, similar to the way personal computers and the internet created new job opportunities [3].

Salesforce, a leading enterprise software company, has shown strong confidence in the AI-driven market. The company recently raised its fiscal 2026 revenue forecast to between $41 billion and $41.3 billion, driven by robust demand for cloud services and accelerating adoption of AI [4]. Salesforce's acquisition of Informatica, a data-management provider, further strengthens its AI capabilities, indicating a significant return to major dealmaking.

While Amodei's predictions are sobering, they underscore the need for a balanced approach to AI adoption. Policymakers and industry leaders must consider both the potential benefits and the challenges posed by AI to ensure a smooth transition for the workforce. As AI continues to evolve, it is crucial to prepare for the future by investing in education, retraining programs, and policy interventions.

References:
[1] https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/ai/ai-job-disruption-could-hit-20-unemployment-in-5-years/
[2] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mark-cuban-claps-back-anthropic-114210094.html
[3] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/stocks/CRM/pressreleases/32619500/salesforce-crm-boosts-2026-revenue-forecast-amid-robust-cloud-and-ai-demand/