AI Expert Warns 99% of Jobs Could Be Replaced by AI and Robots Within Five Years
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the global workforce, and one leading expert warns that nearly all jobs are at risk. Dr. Roman Yampolskiy, professor of computer science at the University of Louisville, predicts that 99% of human work will be automated by AI systems and humanoid robots within the next five years.
AI expert Roman Yampolskiy warns 99% of jobs may vanish in five years as AI and robots replace work, leaving humans with 60+ free hours weekly.
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Yampolskiy shared his forecast on The Diary of a CEO podcast, emphasizing that the shift will not leave room for retraining into unaffected industries. “If I’m telling you that all jobs will be automated, then there is no plan B. You cannot retrain,” he explained.
Three years after OpenAI launched ChatGPT, companies have already begun streamlining workforces to integrate AI automation. Many workers still believe their professions are irreplaceable, but Yampolskiy argues otherwise. He believes that teachers, drivers, and even computer scientists—roles traditionally seen as secure—will all be overtaken by advanced AI capabilities.
The professor pointed to the rise and fall of coding careers as an example. Not long ago, computer science was considered one of the most secure and profitable paths. Then, AI models demonstrated proficiency in programming. Soon after, “prompt engineering” was introduced as a promising new field, but AI has already surpassed humans in designing prompts for other AI systems.
Yampolskiy joins other technology leaders, such as Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and investor Vinod Khosla, who are sounding alarms over mass unemployment caused by automation. Amodei predicts that half of white-collar jobs could disappear in five years, leading to 20% unemployment. Yampolskiy’s outlook is even more drastic, estimating that joblessness could affect 99% of the population in the same timeframe.
Despite the stark forecast, Yampolskiy sees an unexpected upside: free time. He suggests humans will gain 60 to 80 extra hours per week as jobs vanish. This aligns with predictions from other leaders, such as Bill Gates and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who foresee shorter workweeks in the future. Unlike them, Yampolskiy believes traditional work may be eliminated entirely.
The shift raises critical questions about financial support and purpose. Elon Musk has suggested a “universal high income” to provide people with resources in an AI-driven economy, predicting an “age of abundance” where goods and services are plentiful.
As automation accelerates, experts agree the next five years will transform work, income, and daily life on an unprecedented scale.
