Economist Pokes Holes in First Empirical Study Linking AI to Job Losses
ben_j_todd · x · 2026-10-27
Ben Todd, who earlier called a study the "first significant empirical data showing AI is reducing employment," now lists its weaknesses: a larger but 6-month-delayed QCEW dataset shows no correlation (unlike the CES payroll survey), results hinge on 3 industries with low statistical significance, and there are no controls for pre-existing trends or macro factors. He suspects the true effect is weaker so far.
More from AGI Musings
- Investor sides with Gavin Baker: AI demand won't plateau anytime soon — PTrubey · 2026-10-27
- Dan Shipper: video creation and game making will become foundations of knowledge work — danshipper · 2026-10-27
- a16z podcast: Alpha School compresses academics into 2 hours a day with AI, rest for entrepreneurship — a16z · 2026-10-27
- Guardian op-ed: We've started losing control of AI — it's time to shut it down — GarrisonLovely · 2026-10-27
- Naveen Rao: AI's next chapter is inference, a $10T market within a decade — ravikantagrawal · 2026-10-27
- Study: just 10 minutes of AI assistance can erode motivation to solve problems alone — Polymarket · 2026-10-27