Ex-Google exec calls the idea that AI will create new jobs “100% crap”

In a recent and provocative appearance on “The Diary of a CEO” podcast, Mo Gawdat, the former chief business officer for Google X, delivered a stark warning about the future of artificial intelligence, dismissing the optimistic notion that AI will create more jobs than it destroys as “100% crap.” Gawdat, a seasoned veteran of the tech industry, painted a picture of a society on the cusp of significant upheaval, where even highly-skilled white-collar professionals, including CEOs, podcasters, and video editors, are not safe from displacement.

Gawdat’s forecast is a direct challenge to the prevailing narrative from many tech leaders who argue that AI will primarily augment human work, top to new, more fulfilling roles. He contends that this time is fundamentally different. As evidence, he pointed to his own AI-driven startup, Emma.love, which he says was built by just three people, a task that would have historically required a team of 350 developers. This example, he suggests, is a microcosm of a much larger trend where AI drastically reduces the need for human labor.

The ex-Google executive predicts a “short-term dystopia” by 2027, marked by widespread job losses and economic instability. He argues that while CEOs are currently celebrating the cost reductions and productivity gains offered by AI, they are failing to recognize that their own positions are also at risk. “AGI [artificial general intelligence] is going to be better than humans at everything, including being a CEO,” he stated, warning that “the most incompetent CEOs will be replaced.”

Gawdat’s views stand in sharp contrast to those of figures like Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and billionaire Mark Cuban, who advocate for upskilling and a focus on soft skills to stay competitive. The World Economic Forum’s 2025 “Future of Jobs” report reflects this divided perspective, noting that while many employers plan to downsize due to AI, a larger percentage intend to reskill their current workforce to collaborate with AI systems.

Despite his grim predictions, Gawdat is not entirely pessimistic about the long-term future. He envisions a world beyond 2040 where humans, freed from the drudgery of work, can focus on creativity, community, and personal growth, supported by a system like universal basic income. However, he cautions that reaching this “utopia” will require responsible action and ethical considerations from both governments and the private sector to prevent the “hell” of a tumultuous transition.

This video provides an in-depth interview with Mo Gawdat on “The Diary of a CEO” podcast, where he discusses his dire predictions about AI’s impact on the job market and society.