Jamie Dimon's Bold AI Warning: The Skills Workers Must Master

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Jamie Dimon Warns About AI’s Impact on the Workforce

Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, has raised concerns about the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) but reassured workers that there is no need to panic. Instead, he emphasized that the key to thriving in an AI-driven world lies in developing human skills that machines cannot easily replicate.

Speaking on Fox News, Dimon provided a candid view of the future of work as AI becomes more integrated into various industries. He acknowledged that AI will eliminate certain jobs but stressed that people can still find new opportunities if they focus on acquiring the right skills.

“My advice to people would be critical thinking. Learn skills. Learn how to be good at communicating, how to write. You'll have plenty of jobs,” he said. This message highlights the importance of adaptability and lifelong learning in the face of technological change.

Dimon's comments come at a time when AI is transitioning from science fiction to a tangible reality for millions of workers. Across corporate America, executives are becoming more open about the disruptions AI is causing, especially among younger and white-collar employees. Some labor experts suggest that AI is already contributing to a rise in unemployment among young workers.

However, Dimon pushed back against the idea that AI is currently driving widespread job losses. He argued that the current weaker labor market is more a result of businesses being cautious in their hiring practices rather than a direct consequence of AI.

“Jobs have gotten a little weaker, wages have gotten a little weaker. You talk to businesses, they're going to be a little more cautious hiring. That's not because of A., that's just because they want to do more with less,” he explained.

While acknowledging that AI will eventually displace some workers, Dimon rejected predictions of a sudden collapse in employment. He described AI as a long-term force for progress, similar to past innovations like tractors, fertilizers, and vaccines.

“The benefits could ultimately transform everyday life, predicting a future where people work less while living better,” he said. “Maybe one day we'll be working less hard but having wonderful lives.”

Despite these positive outlooks, Dimon warned that proper governance of AI is essential. He noted that, like other technologies, AI comes with risks and potential downsides. “Now, of course it needs to be properly regulated. There are downsides just like there are to airplanes, pharmaceuticals, cars. All things get used by bad people.”

He also emphasized that the pace of change, rather than the technology itself, poses the biggest risk. “If it does happen too fast for society, which is possible, you know, we can't assimilate all these people that quickly,” he said, drawing parallels to past economic upheavals caused by farming automation, electricity, and the internet.

Dimon called for governments and companies to learn from past mistakes and manage the transition more deliberately. “Government and we the companies, society, should look at how do we phase it in a way that we don't damage a lot of people,” he said. “You can retrain people, relocate people, income assistance, early retirement.”

In the short term, Dimon predicted that AI-driven investment could actually increase employment. He pointed to the need for construction, infrastructure development, and other sectors that require human labor. “You have a huge amount of construction that needs to take place. You need roads and trucks and drivers. You need servers, you need fire — all of that. So it's going to cause probably more jobs in the short run in total.”

Other corporate leaders share similar concerns. In May, Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, warned that AI could erase up to half of all white-collar jobs over the next five years. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon echoed this sentiment, stating that AI will change literally every job.

Dimon has long argued that leadership and long-term career success depend on skills that are not easily coded. In July 2024, he emphasized the importance of judgment, curiosity, and self-awareness during a LinkedIn video series.

“If you don't have an accurate assessment of the real world out there, what's changing, what the ideas are, you will eventually fail,” he said. This belief underpins his warning that in an AI-saturated workplace, workers who can think critically, communicate clearly, and read the room may become more valuable.

Studies show that AI still struggles with nuanced judgment, ethical reasoning, and contextual decision-making—areas where human workers can differentiate themselves. Workers seen as strong communicators are often more trusted, more influential, and more likely to advance.

Harvard University associate professor Alison Wood Brooks highlighted the importance of active listening in the workplace. “Successful conversationalists and successful employees go a step further than basic eye contact or nodding,” she said. “Listening to somebody's answer then probing for more information is a superhero move.”

As AI continues to reshape the workforce, the key takeaway from Dimon’s message is clear: while the technology will bring changes, it is the human element—critical thinking, communication, and adaptability—that will determine success in the future.