A long running discussion among the OODA Network is how the dynamics around AI job displacement will play out. This has been a topic discussed at our annual OODAcon, many of our monthly member sessions and an ongoing thread in our Slack where real practitioners and informed experts have been assessing this topic from just about every angle.

The result has been insights unavailable anywhere else! When journalists and media outlets see hyperbolic assertions by tech CEOs or academics they too frequently just amplify and are unable to put these assessments in context. Our deep engagement with a community of real experts can help us sort out and assess comments and look for what, if anything, is actionable and what prudent steps decision-makers should be taking.

A recent example was the May 2025 assertions by CEO Dario Amodei of Anthropic that AI could wipe out half of all entry-level white collar jobs and spike unemployment to 10 to 20% in the next few years. Amodei believes AI companies know what is coming and should stop sugar coating it. He see mass elimination of jobs across technology, finance, law, consulting and other white collar jobs, especially entry level positions.

The OODA network and our research and reporting here on the site has long captured the threat of disruptions to the workforce. Things are changing fast and those that are prepared will do better than those who are not. Although no one knows with certainty what the future holds, we may very likely spend a few years where we will be reaping incredible benefits of AI. We will see enhancements to healthcare, an extension of meaningful life, better, stronger, more efficient transportation, improvements in safety and national defense and so many other benefits. But there will also be disruption that is hard to quantify but could impact tens of millions of Americans.

Many in the network have expressed well thought out views that every new technology in history has caused disruption and we have always adapted and adjusted. There is strong historical evidence supporting this. Business leaders in the network have also brought context on how companies are adjusting now to the efficiencies coming with more use of advanced AI technologies. Cutting costs in uncertain times can be important for survival. But in healthy firms savings in one area are being applied to investments in others, more R&D or more focus on product capabilities or even hiring into other positions. This applies to startups and large going concerns. An example is Amazon. In a June letter from CEO Andy Jassy on the impact of Generative AI, Jassy articulated many dimensions of their agentic future and the incredible things he expects to come. He also made it clear that many jobs will change and many will go away. But he also underscored that there will be more people doing other types of jobs. Nothing he said indicated a decimation. But instead a change.

For years my personal view on how to succeed in technological transformation has been to be a continual learner. This is still a good strategy but in this particular transformation I do not believe that is enough. Yes you should learn as many AI tools as you can. Be a power user of ChatGPT, Grok, Perplexity, Claude and learn how to apply those to your business workflows. Learn what you can about the tech behind them and how to assess their strengths and weaknesses. But that is not enough. The trite phrase “AI will not replace your job, a person using AI will replace your job” is misleading. Everyone can use AI now, and knowing it will not protect a career. Knowing AI is also not sufficient to succeed in business, entrepreneurship or government, and is not sufficient to informing corporate strategic decisions.

So what do we do to ensure success in this period of transition?

My advice is to not only learn and use the tech to transform your own business, but recognize what structural changes are underway in society as we transition to an AI enabled economy. That is what will make the difference for your business strategy and personal career prospects.

There are experts to follow, books to read and savvy business professionals to network with who can guide you as you make decisions for both your personal career and as you shape the strategy of your business. And there is an extensive body of knowledge here at OODA Loop that can shape your decisions. I list many below. And in a follow on post to this one have prepared a review of the thinking of some experts who have been examining the shifts underway. Ensure you are on distribution of the OODA Daily Pulse to get an alert when that one runs.

Recommended OODAloop.com References

The Economic Transformation of Generative AI: Key Insights on Productivity and Job Creation
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The Executive’s Guide To Artificial Intelligence: What You Need To Know About What Really Works and What Comes Next
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