In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been one of the most discussed topics in the job market. Some people see this technology as an imminent threat to employment, while others view it as an opportunity for progress. The truth is that, just like past technological advancements, AI will indeed replace certain roles performed by humans. But this is not a sign of impending chaos—it is simply a reflection of technological evolution.
Moreover, it is important to remember that we live in a capitalist world, where the flow will always favor reducing costs and increasing profits. Any technology that makes a process more efficient and cheaper will be adopted, even if it results in replacing human workers with machines and algorithms.
The Past as a Mirror of the Future
The history of humanity is full of moments when technological innovations transformed the job market. During the Industrial Revolution, for example, mechanization replaced manual labor in various industries. Before that, the invention of the mechanical loom reduced the need for textile artisans, leading to protests such as the famous Luddite movement.
Luddite Movement: The Revolt Against Mechanical Looms
In the early 19th century, during the Industrial Revolution in England, textile artisans faced the introduction of mechanical looms that threatened their livelihoods. In response, the Luddite movement emerged, in which workers destroyed machines as a form of protest against mechanization, which they saw as harmful to their jobs and living conditions. (Wikipedia)
Resistance to Agricultural Mechanization: The Introduction of Tractors
In the 20th century, agricultural mechanization advanced with the introduction of tractors and other machines, reducing the need for labor in the fields. This process led to the displacement of many rural workers, contributing to migratory movements in various parts of the world. (Wikipedia)
In the United States, during the Great Depression of the 1930s, the adoption of agricultural machines drastically reduced the demand for farm labor, driving rural exodus and forcing millions of workers to seek opportunities in urban centers. This forced labor displacement had significant social impacts, such as the Great Migration of African Americans, one of the largest internal migratory flows in U.S. history. (Wikipedia)
Impact of Email on Postal Workers: The Digitalization of Communications
With the advent of email and digital communications in the late 20th century, there was a significant decline in the volume of physical mail. This phenomenon profoundly impacted postal services worldwide. One of the most recent and emblematic examples of this transformation is occurring in Denmark, where the national postal service, PostNord, has announced that it will completely cease letter deliveries by the end of 2025. Since the year 2000, mail volume has dropped by 90%, making the maintenance of this service financially unviable. As a result, around 1,500 jobs will be eliminated.
The transition to digital means has drastically reduced the need for postal workers and physical service counters, forcing severe restructurings in postal systems across various countries. This type of change, although inevitable in the context of digitalization, demonstrates how technological innovation can eliminate traditional roles without a smooth transition to new opportunities. (The Guardian)
Which Jobs Will Be Impacted?
Just like in the past, AI will most intensely affect repetitive jobs with low cognitive demand. Sectors such as customer service, administrative support, basic content production, and even some medical diagnostic functions are already being automated by AI.
However, this transformation also creates new opportunities in the job market. Professions focused on AI development, monitoring, and ethics are rapidly growing. Just as agricultural mechanization forced workers to adapt to new sectors, AI will also drive demand for more specialized skills.
The Real Motivation Behind the Resistance to AI
What seems evident, however, is that people are not necessarily afraid of losing their jobs—they are afraid of having to study and upskill to secure positions that AI cannot replace. Resistance to AI often does not stem from the fear of automation itself but from the effort required to keep up with technological advancements and remain relevant in the job market.
Studies indicate that up to 85 million jobs may be displaced due to automation by 2025, while 97 million new positions will emerge, requiring different skill sets. (McKinsey Global Institute)
Despite this, the lack of motivation to acquire new skills is evident. A survey by the World Economic Forum showed that only 50% of workers globally are willing to retrain, even knowing that their jobs are at risk.(World Economic Forum)
Moreover, data from the Education at a Glance 2021 report by the OECD shows that, on average, about 40% of adults participated in some form of education or training in the 12 months preceding the survey. However, this average hides substantial variations: while countries like Sweden and New Zealand have participation rates above 60%, other nations report rates below 20%. These numbers reflect the diversity of educational policies and the willingness of workers to upskill in different parts of the world.(Pessoas 2030 – OCDE)
The reality is that the responsibility for adaptation does not lie solely with companies or governments. It is up to the worker to take the initiative in seeking qualifications, as the job market does not adapt to individual needs but rather to technological and economic evolution.
The Need to Break Out of the Comfort Zone
AI is already eliminating jobs, and this is not a prediction—it is a fact. Companies are cutting employees simply because they can achieve more with fewer resources. Meta, for example, has initiated a major workforce reduction, laying off around 3,600 employees, representing 5% of its workforce. These layoffs are part of a strategic move to reallocate resources to artificial intelligence, which has become a top priority for the company. (CNN Brasil, Exame)
If you believe your job is safe, think twice. AI won’t ask if you’re ready—it will simply take your place. Those who don’t keep up with market evolution become irrelevant. The market is ruthless: those who generate value stay, while those who lag behind are left behind.
The argument that “companies should provide training” is only half of the equation. A company can offer courses, encourage learning, and provide resources, but if you don’t want to learn, no one can force you. The responsibility to stay updated is individual. The world won’t slow down for you to catch up.
The comfort zone is a dangerous place. If you believe your job won’t be affected, you may already be falling behind. Continuous learning is not an option—it’s the only way to ensure you remain relevant. Those who fail to invest in knowledge today will be forced to seek alternatives when it’s already too late.
The market is making this reality clear: major companies are restructuring their businesses to prioritize efficiency. IBM has announced a hiring freeze for positions that can be automated, predicting that 7,800 administrative jobs will be replaced by AI. Goldman Sachs estimates that 300 million jobs worldwide could be affected by automation. (CNBC, BBC)
The impact is already happening—and there’s no turning back.
Opportunity for Growth
The advancement of AI does not mean the end of jobs but rather a brutal reconfiguration of the market. If you are not actively preparing for this change, you are already falling behind. Those who reinvent themselves and develop new skills will lead. Those who insist on staying in the past will be replaced.
So yes, Artificial Intelligence will take jobs from the market, and there is no “but” to soften this statement. Progress does not wait for those who refuse to evolve. The choice is yours: adapt or be replaced.