The End of Work? AI Creator Warns: All Jobs, Even Plumbing, Are at Risk

Professor Yoshua Bengio, renowned for his work in artificial intelligence development, has expressed his concerns about the future of employment. Bengio, a Turing Award winner and computer science professor at the Université de Montréal, warns that AI-driven automation poses a threat to all jobs, including those considered secure. The scientist, who has dedicated four decades to developing the technology, is now focused on warning about the risks that this same technology entails for the global labor market.

Bengio highlights that office jobs, or 'cognitive jobs' as he calls them, will be the first casualties. In an interview on the 'Diary of a CEO' podcast, the expert emphasized that it is only a matter of time before AI can perform most of the tasks currently done by humans. Companies are eager to integrate AI into their workflows, which will accelerate the transition.

Bengio notes that Generation Z is feeling the most immediate effects of automation, as junior roles are the easiest to replace or consolidate with software. However, the impact will extend to all professional levels within five years. The current situation, with graduates facing the worst job market since 2018 in the UK, is a clear indicator of the trend. Companies like Intel, IBM, and Google have frozen thousands of job positions that are expected to be filled by AI.

The expert warns that technology will continue to advance and that the situation is not a simple reflection of the economic situation. As companies implement more robots and collect more data, AI will become even more sophisticated, leading to the automation of virtually all jobs.

Bengio mentions that even physical jobs, such as plumbing, which were traditionally considered safe, are not exempt from the threat of automation. Although AI will take longer to replace these jobs, the scientist considers that it is only a matter of time before technology advances enough to automate these tasks as well. This perspective challenges the idea that training in traditional trades is a long-term solution for job security.

The scientist regrets having dedicated his life to the creation of AI, admitting that he did not pay enough attention to the potentially catastrophic risks. The emergence of ChatGPT and the reflection on the future of his grandson were turning points that led him to realize the severity of the situation.

Faced with the devastation that AI could cause, Bengio founded LawZero, a non-profit organization focused on building safe AI systems aligned with human values. Its goal is to mitigate the risks associated with the development and implementation of AI. Bengio emphasizes the need for business leaders to reconsider their strategies and collaborate to address the challenges posed by AI. He warns that, if this is not done, significant risks could be taken, not only for companies, but also for future generations.

Bengio's message to CEOs is clear: 'Step back from your work. Talk to each other, and let's see if together we can solve the problem. Because if we get stuck in this competition, we are going to take huge risks that are not good for you, nor for your children'.

The scientist warns that, if measures are not taken, even democracy could be compromised in the next two decades. The rapid evolution of AI poses significant challenges to society and governance. The need for regulation and ethical development of AI becomes crucial to protect both jobs and democratic values.

The story was originally published on Fortune.com on December 19, 2025. Other relevant data indicates that 50% of global workers believe that AI will increase their salaries and job security, while almost half of CEOs believe that AI should replace their own jobs. In addition, LinkedIn and Microsoft show that Generation Z could displace millennials if they have AI skills.