Automation & the Death of the American Worker
Robotic dystopia aside, the American workforce already faces a triad of problems—they are overworked, underpaid, and underskilled. This multi-pronged dilemma reflects the potentially unavoidable late stages of capitalism—a system that has both uplifted society through innovation and fierce competition while also entrenching millions in a new-age feudalism, with corporations wielding immense ownership and power. The specious perks of the American system are upward mobility, economic opportunity, or, simply put, the American Dream. Your ability to own a house, start a business, and change your entire life through grit and a tenacious work ethic. But the scintillating promise of the American Dream has quickly lost its shine in recent decades, and I suspect AI and automation will be the final nails in the coffin.
Workers are Out, Machines are In
Last week, a report came out stating that by 2033, Amazon plans to replace 600,000 U.S. workers with automation. Yes. One of the largest and most powerful multinational companies in the world, which already saw $637.959B in revenue in 2024, is seeking ways to further enlarge profits, crush competition, and cement itself as an unavoidable piece of our daily lives. It’s easy to vilify Amazon, but the truth is, they are far from the only ones planning to rid themselves of paid human labor. From Walmart to McDonald’s, hundreds of megacorporations that employee millions across the country and looking for ways to integrate AI and reduce employer expenses.
It wasn’t long ago that I passed through a drive-thru and was forced to place an order using a speech-recognition tablet. Dumbfounded by the situation, I finally managed to order after repeating myself a couple of times, then headed to the window to pay and collect my food. After years of navigating automated customer service chatbots and phone assistants, I suppose it was only a matter of time before food and hospitality followed.
Fast-food establishments, such as Wendy’s or Burger King, have historically been considered low-rung employment opportunities. These positions often require little to no experience or skill but provide income for those with limited options. The paradox is that low-skilled, entry-level jobs are likely the first to be automated, yet it is those workers who are least capable of shifting industries or finding employment elsewhere.
The consequences of AI integration go beyond disrupting employment; they can also dictate major financial hardship or access to life-saving care. Several companies, including UnitedHealthcare, which has been the subject of heightened attention following assassination of the former CEO Brian Johnson Thompson, have faced numerous lawsuits after their AI systems unfairly denied medically necessary care for elderly patients. These reckless, rushed integrations are unnecessarily costing both jobs and lives—all for the sake of shareholder profits.
Why Concerns are Justified
One of the primary reasons that fears surrounding AI and automation aren’t overblown is that it’s blatantly obvious that no consideration has been given to how society will manage the transition. Namely, if we excise 600,000 jobs from the economic marketplace, are we prepared to create 600,000 new jobs in adjacent industries? Of course not. Even if that were feasible to do by 2033, are we sure that those new jobs won’t also be at risk of being automated?
Let’s start with the first concern: job replacement.
Data from McKinsey projects that “between 400 million and 800 million individuals could be displaced by automation and will need to find new jobs worldwide by 2030.”
This would mean that 200 to 400 million workers would need to learn new skills or switch industries entirely to protect their livelihoods. Even if possible in theory, in practice it’s a nightmarish pipe dream. Forcing millions of adults, often carrying crippling debt and family obligations, to change careers and swiftly adopt a new skill set on a dime is a catalyst for a widespread humanitarian crisis.
Historically, job markets have adjusted to new waves of technology and societal advancement, but today’s technology not only advances faster than we can adapt, it also replaces human labor rather than transforming it. This comes at a time when America is already hemorrhaging skilled workers and largely importing technical and highly-skilled labor from overseas. This has become yet another anchor dragging down the American workforce.
One of the fatal flaws of our current education system is that we’ve overvalued completion over creativity. We’ve trained a workforce to check boxes and fulfill menial tasks rather than think critically in ways that automation can’t mimic. Adam Smith’s revolutionary concept of dividing labor has grown stale in a market that has far surpassed the 17th century one he was writing in. The repercussions of this robotic, standardized education are that the majority of workers are not capable of making the swift, acrobatic leap into another industry if their jobs were to be automated.
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The Challenge to Compete
It’s survival of the fittest in a profit-driven economy. Unfortunately, companies, both large and small, find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place. If they automate, they may do irreparable damage to the lives of their loyal employees and their families. If they resist these emerging technologies, they may fail to compete, possibly forcing them out of business or requiring severe cuts to their workforce—delaying the inevitable.
The employees are stuck as well. Most Americans are already stretched thin on a 40-hour workweek, with minimal PTO, limited maternity leave, and virtually no control over their wages. They cannot compete with their artificial replacements, which can work around the clock at a fraction of the cost.
The Problem with UBI
Many would suggest that the solution to the labor mayhem is universal basic income, a social welfare proposal in which all citizens regularly receive a minimum income in the form of an unconditional transfer payment. Effectively implemented, this check would be enough to cover all the basic needs of an individual or family: food, housing, and other essential necessities. This policy was strongly backed by American businessman and attorney Andrew Yang during his 2020 presidential campaign. Resistance to the policy of UBI remains quite strong—and for good reason.
Our government is notoriously inept at managing its money. As I write this, the country sits over $38 trillion in debt, cyclically overspending and mismanaging finances as if it were a competition. The idea that this overtly incompetent and corrupt government could successfully implement a social welfare program as large-scale as UBI is laughable. Not to mention, we witnessed widespread misuse of funds by many Americans during the COVID pandemic, when multiple stimulus checks were issued, only to be spent on frivolous items and entertainment.
Beyond the economic logistics of UBI, it still wouldn’t solve the existential crisis for most Americans removed from the daily accountability and responsibility imposed by a job. Whether Americans love or hate their job, it provides necessary structure, routine, and purpose. Psychologically, humans thrive on habit and pattern recognition; our minds feel at ease when we know where to be, what to do, and why. Additionally, the workplace provides a place of socialization and purpose for workers. Their contributions produce value, and camaraderie among co-workers establishes appropriate social interaction for mental well-being. Even if a job is loathed, it provides a backbone in most people’s lives. Remove them from that structured environment, and chaos ensues. Domestic violence, substance abuse, and clinical depression would almost certainly spike. Even with financial and basic needs covered, the void left by the loss of daily labor and routine would become a black hole for many.
A Pessimistic Prognosis
I typically scavenge for silver linings and optimism, but when it comes to AI and automation, I see none for the workforce. I believe immense hardship is headed for millions of already financially strapped, emotionally sapped Americans. The job market will constrict like never before, forcing scrambling workers to fight over sparse, low-wage positions just to keep their families fed. Even if policymakers managed to establish a social welfare program to aid in the transition, this era would be irrevocably marked by alarming rates of suicide and depression.
Could we simply reject this momentous technological shift in civilization? Could we collectively recognize the potential for harm and choose a more stable, conservative trajectory? Possibly. But the precedent for a decision like that has yet to be seen. It would likely require prominent voices and monopolistic businesses taking a stand against the interests of their shareholders; in other words, entirely unlikely. So, for now, we wait like sitting ducks. As Americans, all we can do is try to bolster our skills, reinvigorate our creative minds, and embrace the irreplaceable qualities that make us distinctly human.
