◆ Jobpocalypse: The Looming Threat of AI-Driven Job Disruption

Jobpocalypse is a portmanteau of 'Job' and 'Apocalypse', referring to the potential for large-scale employment disruption driven by the rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI).

The term warns of structural changes in the labor market as AI swiftly replaces human tasks, signaling a fundamental transformation in employment dynamics.

The phrase gained prominence in October 2025 when The Guardian published an article titled "Entry-level workers face AI 'job-pocalypse'," highlighting the vulnerability of new entrants to the workforce.

According to a recent survey by the British Standards Institution (BSI) of over 850 business leaders across Australia, China, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, 41% of respondents expect AI to reduce headcount.

Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed said they consider AI solutions before hiring, while more than two-fifths have already reduced staff or cut jobs due to increased efficiency from AI. Additionally, 43% indicated plans to downsize their workforce next year.

Dario Amodei, CEO of AI firm Anthropic, warned that "AI could eliminate half of entry-level white-collar jobs in the US within the next five years." In contrast, Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, countered that "AI will drive new innovation rather than simply destroy jobs," cautioning against excessive pessimism.

Experts view the Jobpocalypse not as the outright end of employment, but as a period of job restructuring and technological transition. While repetitive tasks are likely to be automated, new roles will emerge in designing, managing, and validating AI systems.

(Seoul=Yonhap Infomax) Young Sook Yoon

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