Concerns that artificial intelligence will trigger a mass “robot apocalypse” and wipe out millions of jobs are being overstated, according to Ekkehard Ernst, chief macroeconomist at the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Speaking in Beijing on Tuesday, Ernst said the real risk is not widespread unemployment, but what he described as “algorithmic collusion”, a quieter process that could gradually suppress wages and weaken workplace conditions.
He said public debate has largely focused on fears that artificial intelligence will trigger mass job losses, but stressed that such disruption is still far off.
“I don’t think that we are anywhere close to major disruption of labour markets”, he said.
Ernst pointed to a recent study by AI firm, Anthropic, which highlights a significant “implementation gap” between what AI systems are capable of and what is actually being deployed in workplaces.
The study found that while artificial intelligence can theoretically perform many high-income tasks, real-world adoption remains limited due to regulatory challenges, system integration issues, and the continued need for human oversight.
He added that although AI is already affecting certain sectors, particularly software engineering, and some entry-level positions, fears that it will severely damage youth employment are misplaced.
Instead, Ernst said the main challenge facing young workers is not artificial intelligence, but broader economic conditions.
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