IBM has clarified its position on the impact of AI on jobs, emphasizing that it will not lay off any programmers due to AI adoption. In a recent discussion at Fortune’s CEO Initiative conference, IBM’s CEO Arvind Krishna assured that AI’s implementation will increase the efficiency of programmers by up to 30%, supporting the broader belief that AI will enhance, not replace, many jobs.
While Krishna had previously speculated that about 30% of IBM roles might be superseded by AI and automation, translating to approximately 7,800 jobs, he now offers a different perspective. He anticipates a reduction in specific back-office HR positions but highlights an uptick in software engineering and sales roles. As he put it, “We’re adding 8,000 positions and reducing around 800. Repetitive, white-collar jobs are the first to automate.”
Krishna pointed out that while AI might assume 10 to 20% of “lower-level” tasks, it’s improbable that it will replace entire roles.
Recent studies have presented varying figures on AI’s potential job impact, from affecting 300 million jobs globally to replacing over 2 million US jobs by 2030. Notably, IBM’s own research indicated that about 40% of the global workforce might need to upskill within the next three years due to AI. Summarizing their findings: “AI won’t replace people—but those who utilize AI will replace those who don’t.”