In 2026, a significant wave of job displacement due to AI is impacting the US economy, with Goldman Sachs predicting that 300 million positions worldwide could be affected by AI over the next ten years. The five US sectors facing the most severe impact thus far include customer service, paralegal positions, entry-level programming, marketing copywriting, and back-office accounting — all of which are white-collar jobs that have supported the American middle class. At the same time, there is a growing demand for practical roles such as electricians, surgeons, therapists, and plumbers, leading to an unprecedented increase in trade school enrollment.
