American Jobs with AI Exposure Really Are Starting to Disappear, Data Show

Key Points:

• Economists are increasingly categorizing certain desk-based jobs involving customer service, sales, and administration as vulnerable to AI automation, leading to concerns about their future viability.
• Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows a 4.8% decline in customer service representative jobs from May 2024 to May 2025, with a total drop of 130,180 positions in this period.
• The BLS identified 18 “artificial intelligence related occupations” in a 2024 report, including roles such as paralegals, graphic designers, sales representatives, and administrative assistants, many of which have seen employment declines.
• Overall, these AI-related occupations decreased by 0.2% from May 2024 to May 2025, contrasting with a general employment increase of 0.8%, though some subcategories like medical secretaries are exceptions showing growth.
• While AI is expected to reduce jobs in certain sectors, experts suggest that new and improved job opportunities may emerge in the AI-driven economy, potentially offsetting some of the negative impacts on employment.