A new study from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College reveals that AI adoption is causing a significant surge in unemployment among older white-collar workers.

Key Points

• Economics professor Geoffrey Sanzenbacher analyzed labor data comparing AI-exposure levels to workforce exit rates for employees aged 55 and older.
• Since the 2022 release of ChatGPT, older professionals in high-exposure roles are transitioning to unemployment at significantly higher rates than before.
• Computer programmers experienced a 25 percent increase in workforce exits, while accountants and auditors saw a 22 percent rise.
• Unlike previous trends where older workers in knowledge-based roles enjoyed longer careers, AI is now actively displacing these individuals from the labor market.

Why it Matters

This shift suggests that AI is destabilizing career longevity for experienced professionals, potentially creating a labor market squeeze that affects both entry-level and retirement-age employees. If older workers are forced into unemployment rather than traditional retirement, it could have profound implications for long-term financial security and workforce stability.