McNerney: AI could cause a Jobs Armageddon. We can’t let it happen.

Not counting the pandemic, the U.S. job market last year sank to its lowest level since the Great Recession. The nation added only 181,000 jobs in 2025, down from 1.46 million in 2024. 

Anemic employment numbers are continuing in 2026, with the U.S. economy shedding 92,000 jobs in February.

Many economists agree that President Trump’s tariffs and immigration policies, along with persistently high interest rates, are partially to blame, but there is increasing concern that the rapid rise of artificial intelligence is also starting to harm the employment sector.

The situation promises to worsen, and the problem is: Companies using AI to replace workers is not a bug. It’s a feature.

For the full op-ed, click here.