Geoffrey Hinton, the trailblazing scientist often hailed as the “Godfather of AI,” has sounded a fresh alarm over the sweeping impact artificial intelligence could have on the global workforce. Speaking on the Diary of a CEO podcast, Hinton cautioned that many intellectual roles, particularly white-collar jobs, are increasingly vulnerable to automation.

Highlighting the rapid evolution of AI, Hinton said that routine desk jobs are especially at risk. “I think for mundane intellectual labour, AI is just going to replace everybody,” he noted, citing paralegals and call centre workers as examples. He added, “You’d have to be very skilled to have a job that it [AI] just couldn’t do.”

Hinton, 78, who is renowned for his groundbreaking work in neural networks since the 1970s, emphasised that while AI could act as a co-pilot in some jobs, the result would still be downsizing. “Some roles will be replaced by humans working with an AI assistant rather than just the technology,” he said, “but that means one person will do what used to be the work of 10 people.”

Call Centres And Entry-Level Jobs Already Feeling the Heat

According to Hinton, job losses are no longer a distant possibility. “Mass displacement is more likely than not, and is already upon us in some ways,” he said. He expressed particular concern for new graduates and entry-level employees who are increasingly finding fewer opportunities.

As automation spreads, Hinton said he’d be “terrified” to work in a call centre today due to how advanced AI-driven systems have become.

While automation is progressing rapidly in cognitive tasks, Hinton noted that jobs requiring physical skills might enjoy a longer lifespan. “I’d say it’s going to be a long time before [AI] is as good at physical manipulation,” he remarked. “So, a good bet would be to be a plumber.”

Doubts Over AI Creating Enough New Jobs

Responding to the common belief that AI will generate new kinds of employment, Hinton was sceptical. “If it automates all the intellectual jobs, then what is there for people to do?” he asked.

He also expressed concern over the psychological toll that mass joblessness might bring. “Even if you have UBI, people want to do something,” he said, highlighting the importance of purposeful employment.

Industry Trends Echo Hinton’s Concerns

Recent market data appears to validate his warnings. A May 2025 report from venture firm SignalFire revealed that companies like Meta and Google reduced new graduate hires by 25 per cent from 2023 to 2024. Only 7 per cent of their new positions in 2024 were filled by recent graduates.

Meanwhile, in the financial sector, Morgan Stanley cut 2,000 jobs in March, and a Bloomberg Intelligence study projected that AI could replace up to 200,000 jobs across nearly 100 banks within five years.