The Adecco Group says artificial intelligence (AI) is unlikely to trigger mass job losses, stating that the technology will transform the nature of work rather than eliminate employment altogether.
Adecco Chief Executive Officer Denis Machuel said AI is driving changes in workplaces but does not affect employment.
“AI is bringing a massive evolution in the world of work, but a job apocalypse is not on the horizon…It’s more about changing roles and tasks than eliminating jobs.With the data we have so far, there’s no evidence we will have a different scenario with AI” – Machuel
The statement came amid concerns raised over AI’s impact on employment. According to global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, employers attributed nearly a quarter of job cuts in the United States this year to AI adoption.
Major companies, including Microsoft, HSBC, Amazon, and Standard Chartered, have also announced layoffs as they redirect investments toward artificial intelligence.
However, Machuel argued that some organisations are using AI to justify job cuts that are actually driven by weaker financial performance, restructuring or other business challenges.
Adecco said employment levels remain strong despite the rapid adoption of AI. According to the data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the company stated that employment across its 38 member countries remains at record highs, while unemployment is close to historic lows more than three years after the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
Machuel compared AI with previous technological revolutions, including steam power, electricity, information technology and the internet, all of which transformed workplaces without causing mass unemployment.
The company acknowledged that some entry-level office jobs are becoming more vulnerable as AI automates routine tasks. However, Machuel warned that eliminating junior positions could weaken companies’ future talent pipelines.
He urged employers to redesign entry-level roles so workers can collaborate effectively with AI rather than be replaced by it.
Machuel also called for investment in upskilling and reskilling employees, alongside collaboration between businesses, governments and educational institutions to prepare workers for changing job requirements in the AI era.
