Mo Gawdat: AI Will Wipe Out Middle Class Jobs—and Soon
Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer at Google X, delivered a sobering forecast on the “Diary of a CEO” podcast: AI will not just change jobs—it will eliminate them. He bluntly dismissed the notion that AI will create opportunities for workers as “100% crap,” warning that by 2027, white-collar roles—from software engineers and podcasters to CEOs—will be displaced. He even stated that AI will surpass human capability in leadership tasks. Gawdat painted the upcoming years as a period of widespread economic collapse and social unrest, starting as “hell before we get to heaven.” The middle class, traditionally the backbone of modern economies, is at risk of vanishing entirely unless decisive action—like ethical AI regulation and universal basic income—is taken now.
A Longer-Term View: What Experts (Mo Gawdat) Say
Not all voices are as alarmed as Gawdat’s. Mark Cuban, for instance, recently argued that while AI may disrupt certain roles, it will also inspire new industries and jobs, pointing to historical precedents where automation ultimately led to job creation and innovation.
Meanwhile, economic research offers a nuanced perspective. Some experts believe work will adapt, suggesting that humans may complement AI rather than be replaced. Others warn that although innovation has historically led to net job growth, AI’s speed and scope could render compensation effects—where lost jobs are buoyed by new ones—less effective than in previous industrial changes.
Summary Table: Diverging Views on AI’s Job Impact
| Theme | Perspective |
| Immediate Threat (Gawdat) | AI replacing most honest middle-class professions by 2027; warns of social, psychological fallout |
| Alternative Outlook | AI may disrupt roles but also enable new sectors; promoting adaptation, not demise |
| Historical Context | Past technological disruptions were eventually offset by new job creation—but AI may challenge that trend |
Final Thoughts
Gawdat’s urgent warning urges reevaluation of how society approaches work, equity, and governance in the AI era. While his predictions are stark, they spotlight the risk of growing inequality if AI’s benefits aren’t shared. We’re at a critical crossroads—policymakers, businesses, and communities must make bold moves now to shape a future where AI enhances human potential rather than replaces it.