CEOs say generative AI will result in job cuts in 2024

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A quarter of global chief executives expect the deployment of generative artificial intelligence to lead to headcount reductions of at least 5 percent this year, according to a survey unveiled as world and business leaders gathered in Davos, Switzerland.

Industries led by media and entertainment, banking, insurance, and logistics were most likely to predict job losses because of cutting-edge AI tools, according to the poll of top directors conducted by PwC ahead of this week’s World Economic Forum. Engineering and construction firms were least likely to anticipate cuts because of automation, alongside technology companies.

Some 46 percent of those surveyed said they expect the use of generative AI—systems that can spew out humanlike text, images, and code in seconds—to boost profitability in the next 12 months, the survey added. However, 47 percent said the technology will deliver little or no change.