This article was inspired by Roman Yampolskiy and the podcast The Diary of a CEO (Bartlett, 2025).
AI is already a major disruptor, not only for business but for all aspects of life. Since the first model of ChatGPT was publicly available, the usage of this tool has increased from an estimated 100 million monthly users in January 2023 (Hu, 2023) to an estimated 700 million weekly users by August 2025 (CNBC, 2025). This immense growth has me thinking about the future growth of LLMs (large language models), AI and its influence on the labour markets.
Artificial general intelligence (AGI) is a – still hypothetical – intelligent system that has the ability to understand and learn any task a human can perform (Google Cloud, n.d.). If you are already impressed by the capabilities of current AI, just imagine what self-correcting, self-learning intelligent machines (AGIs) can do. Once developed, these systems could theoretically be used to do any task a human currently can do (and likely do it even better). Recently, computer science professor Roman Yampolskiy predicted that AGI could be developed as early as 2030 (Shibu, 2025).
Current AI models can already automate a lot of routine work. Think about the growing number of customer-service chatbots you encounter. The current use of AI is already reducing demand for entry-level administrative and support roles.
Professor Roman Yampolskiy has argued that wide implementation of AGI could cause 99% of all workers to be unemployed (Shibu, 2025). But do we need to worry? Perhaps, but adoption speed matters. The sheer existence of a technology doesn’t directly mean its complete implementation. Remember, it took years for the internet to completely reshape the world. This should give policymakers time to establish clear boundaries while allowing workers to educate themselves. Ultimately, how we act today will determine whether AGI becomes a threat to humankind or a tool to help us thrive.
References (APA 7th)
- Bartlett, S. (Host). (2025, September 3). Roman Yampolskiy: These are the only 5 jobs that will remain in 2030 & proof we’re living in a simulation! [Audio podcast episode]. In The Diary of a CEO. Flight Studio. https://podcasts.apple.com/…/1000724933846
- CNBC. (2025, August 4). OpenAI’s ChatGPT to hit 700 million weekly users, up 4x from last year. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/04/openai-chatgpt-700-million-users.html
- Google Cloud. (n.d.). What is artificial general intelligence (AGI)? Google Cloud. Retrieved September 11, 2025, from https://cloud.google.com/discover/what-is-artificial-general-intelligence
- Hu, K. (2023, February 2). ChatGPT sets record for fastest-growing user base—analyst note. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/technology/chatgpt-sets-record-fastest-growing-user-base-analyst-note-2023-02-01/
- Shibu, S. (2025, September 4). AI could cause 99% of all workers to be unemployed in the next five years, says computer science professor. Entrepreneur. https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/ai-could-lead-to-mass-joblessness-within-the-next-5-years/496742
Author: Olaf Huiting 623593oh
