03-06-2026
Employer Insight: AI robots will soon surpass the working population, according to Citi Global Insight’s former head of innovation, technology, and future of work. More companies will use AI agents to maximize profitability; as AI improves, people inevitably will be replaced. A 2024 Citi report predicted that AI robots, ranging from humanoids to domestic cleaning robots and autonomous vehicles, are likely to number 1.3B by 2035. The report broke down the return on investment through reduced employee costs. For example, a $15k robot would break even in 3.8 weeks of wages for a $41-an-hour human job, or in 21.6 weeks for a $7.25-an-hour human job.
This impending AI takeover aligns with predictions by other companies. Microsoft’s Work Trend Index report found that 80% of leaders expect the number of AI agents to increase over the next 12 to 18 months. These agents can make decisions and complete work without human direction. McKinsey & Company said that its company currently has 20,000 AI agents working along with 40,000 humans. Its global managing partner predicted that McKinsey would have an equal amount of AI and human agents in 18 months.
Data from the consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas found that AI was a partial cause for about 55,000 layoffs last year. The International Monetary Fund’s managing director predicted an AI tsunami that “most countries and most businesses are not prepared for.”