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TECHNOLOGY :::: CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
(BROOKLYN, New York): Americans are increasingly con- cerned that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is costing jobs and, as the tech- nology expands, could eliminate many more. Those concerns are valid. AI is already replacing specif- ic tasks within jobs, and entire roles may shrink as companies automate more work.
Historically, new technologies have destroyed some jobs while creating others. The difference with modern AI is the speed of change and the fact that it can perform mental work, not just physical la- bor. Employment firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported that companies explicitly attributed about 12,700 U.S. layoffs to AI in 2024 and roughly 54,800 in 2025.
By early 2026, additional AI- linked cuts were reported in the thousands. Some reports counted more than 17,000 AI-specific layoffs during the first nine months of 2025, with September 2025 alone seeing about 7,000 cuts. Broader layoffs tied to automation, software upgrades, AI systems, and work- flow restructuring were even larger, exceeding 20,000 additional cuts in 2025.
Estimates of jobs lost in the U.S. because of AI range from roughly 50,000 to 75,000 over the past few years, while hundreds of thousands more may have been indirectly af- fected by automation and AI-driven restructuring. At the same time, AI has also created jobs. LinkedIn and other labor analyses estimate AI-related hiring created roughly 640,000 jobs in the U.S. between 2023 and 2025, though many re- quire advanced technical skills.
Economists warn the bigger im- pact may still lie ahead. An MIT-re- lated analysis estimated current AI systems could potentially perform tasks tied to about 11-12% of the U.S. labor market.
While AI has not yet caused mass unemployment nationwide, it is already reshaping industries such as software development, customer service, data entry, administrative work, content creation, legal re- search, and some finance functions. Some economists believe the long- term effect may be fewer entry-lev- el white-collar jobs rather than the sudden replacement of workers.
Research indicates several occu- pations are especially vulnerable to AI:
AI chatbots and voice systems can answer questions, process re- funds, book appointments, trou- bleshoot problems, and handle complaints. A company that once needed 500 call-center workers may now require only 100 supervisors
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AI can summarize meetings, write emails, generate reports, or- ganize schedules, process invoices, enter data, and analyze spread- sheets. Administrative assistants, data-entry clerks, and back-office workers are increasingly vulnerable because one employee using AI can now perform work that once re- quired several people.
Journalism and content creation AI can produce news summa- ries, sports recaps, marketing copy, social media posts, photographs, and basic video editing. Media companies may reduce the number of copywriters, junior reporters, and editors they employ. Human writers remain essential for inves- tigative journalism, creativity, and public trust, but routine content is DR. TRACEY JOSEPH DDS., PLLC DDS., GENERAL COSMETIC DENTIST 1655 Flatbush Ave. (Bet. H&l) 718-377-1319
Caribbean Times | June 4-17, 2026 becoming increasingly automated. Software engineering
AI coding systems can write code, debug programs, generate websites, create documentation, and automate testing. This may re- duce demand for junior program- mers and outsourced coding teams. Senior engineers remain highly valuable because humans are still needed for areas such as system ar- chitecture and security. However, smaller teams can now build larger systems.
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Automation already includes self-checkout systems, AI ordering kiosks, robotic food preparation, and automated inventory systems. Fast-food restaurants may eventu- ally operate with only a handful of workers.
AI is assisting rather than replac- ing doctors, but it is already analyz- ing medical scans, suggesting diag-
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