McKinsey warns 11 million U.S. workers may need to change careers due to AI by 2035

McKinsey, a global consulting firm, has released a report warning that by 2035, approximately 11 million U.S. workers may need to switch careers due to AI replacing their jobs. This represents about 7% of the current workforce. The report highlights that the number of annual career transitions in the U.S. could triple from the current average of 215,000 to around 645,000 by 2035. McKinsey notes that most workers will require significant retraining and may face income loss. The report emphasizes that job transitions are not straightforward, as new roles often demand different skills, qualifications, and locations. The report identifies three main sectors most at risk: office and administrative support, retail and sales, and transportation and logistics. These include roles such as customer service representatives, cashiers, and warehouse workers. Low-income workers are eight times more likely to need to change careers compared to high-income workers. McKinsey acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding AI adoption and its impact on various industries, as well as long-term trends like population aging. The final number of workers needing to switch careers could range between 6 million and 16 million.