The rise of generative AI has sparked worries about its potential to replace human employees and trigger mass layoffs. While there are instances where specific jobs, particularly in fields like art, are being overlooked in favor of AI, research firm Gartner is tempering these concerns. Gartner’s findings indicate that many agentic AI projects may be overly optimistic, with predictions suggesting that around 40% of these initiatives could be abandoned by 2027.
The firm argues that numerous projects are propelled by hype rather than substantive value. Furthermore, the return on investment from these AI endeavors is deemed unreliable, signaling potential setbacks. Agentic AI essentially functions as a digital replacement for human workers, capable of performing tasks once handled by people.
Despite this, Anushree Verma, a Senior Director Analyst at Gartner, emphasizes that current AI models struggle with complex instructions and do not effectively help companies meet their business objectives. Thus, human employees will continue to play a critical role in the workforce for the foreseeable future. Amidst these developments, the job market remains challenging for many individuals, faced with fewer job openings and declining wages.
Sectors such as the arts, writing, and customer support are particularly anxious about job security, especially as companies like Microsoft and Amazon begin to favor AI over human workers. While Gartner notes that AI agents may not yet match human capabilities, the field is evolving rapidly. By 2028, it is projected that 15% of daily work decisions will be influenced by agentic AI.
This trend suggests that while some AI projects may falter, significant investment in AI technology will ensure its persistence and growth in the marketplace.