How is AI affecting labor market?

December 20, 2025

I’ve often heard questions like, “Will this specific job be replaced by AI?” or statements such as, “I think this type of job is less likely to be replaced by AI.” These discussions have made me reflect on why people think this way.

As an engineer and designer, I can undeniably see how AI has facilitated certain aspects of my “typical” work. But can AI truly perform all the tasks I do? What exactly is the essence of the work I contribute? These are questions I often ponder. I could talk about this for hours!

In today’s All-In podcast, there was an interesting point about how making workers more productive can be counterintuitive. Instead of reducing the value of their labor, it can actually increase it. More productive workers often get paid more, and businesses may want to hire more of them. I largely agree with this perspective—total factor productivity (TFP) growth often drives more hiring. However, I believe we must also focus on identifying and creating new opportunities that arise from these advancements.

We often say that growth comes from stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing the unknown. If we believe in humanity’s potential, why not take this leap together once again?

Written by Wenyu Zhang