Automating Every Job: Inside the AI Startup's Shocking Plan and 5 Ways It Could Affect Your Job Automating Every Job
Imagine waking up one day to a world where no human being has to work—because smart machines do all jobs. For some, this sounds like a utopia of never-ending leisure and wealth. For many others, it is a terrifying picture of mass unemployment, lost purpose, and economic upheaval. A new AI company declaring an ambitious goal to automate every single job made these mixed emotions very real. The suggestion right away sparked public worry, ethical questions, and a flurry of emotional reactions. This article will look at what this AI startup is suggesting, why it is so contentious, and how it might eventually change industries and jobs. We will also cover how you can safeguard and develop your own career in reaction to this audacious technological wave.
Every Job Automated: The Startup’s Ambitious Plan
Controversy started when Mechanize, a startup co-founded by AI researcher Tamay Besiroglu, launched in April 2025 with a goal that seems directly from science fiction. Besiroglu stated the aims of “the full automation of all work” and “the full automation of the economy”.
Essentially, Mechanize wants to create artificial intelligence agents able to perform every task humans can do. The startup isn’t constructing physical robots (yet); rather, it hopes to be the infrastructure layer for this great automation – supplying the data, benchmarks, and virtual environments required to train AI workers for all tasks
By totaling all human wages paid worldwide, roughly $60 trillion per year, Besiroglu computed the possible market. Put another way, he believes that if artificial intelligence could at scale replace human labor, there would be nearly infinite business potential. Rather than manual labor, Mechanize’s first emphasis is on automating white-collar office tasks. First on the chopping block are tasks involving typing, data processing, email writing, and other desk-bound responsibilities. First on the chopping block are tasks involving typing, data processing, email writing, and other desk-bound duties. “You’re on borrowed time if your work includes typing, sorting, or emailing,” one report quipped, summarizing the startup’s view
Unlike past automation that targeted routine factory or assembly-line jobs, this effort is gunning for knowledge-based and professional roles as well. Unlike past automation aimed at routine factory or assembly-line jobs, this one is gunning for knowledge-based and professional positions as well. The vision is to eventually manage all of it, not only the tedious parts of our job. Besiroglu contends that totally automating labor will release “vast abundance” and an economic boom, so raising living standards and generating new products and services we cannot even conceive of today.
The co-founders of Mechanize wish to see this vision come true as soon as they can.
betting that advanced artificial intelligence could turn labor into a scalable, digital resource and ignite an economic revolution.
Its Possible Impact on Jobs and Industries Automating Every Job
Should an AI-driven “automate every job” plan advance, the long-term effects on jobs and sectors will be significant. In the near term, white-collar and knowledge-based jobs are probably going to experience the most transformation since companies like Mechanize are concentrating their resources there.
Imagine sectors like finance, accounting, marketing, customer service, and software development more and more depending on artificial intelligence agents to manage duties formerly performed by humans. Imagine sectors including finance, accounting, marketing, customer service, and software development more and more depending on AI agents to manage duties formerly performed by people. Indeed, this trend has already started: generative artificial intelligence tools (such as GPT-4) can draft emails, write code, generate designs, and perform data analysis. A recent McKinsey study found that present artificial intelligence technology could automate job tasks now consuming up to 70% of workers’ time.
Clearly, jobs involving paperwork or routine processing are in the automation crosshairs. Clearly, roles involving paperwork or routine processing are in the crosshairs of automation. IBM’s CEO, for instance, stated in 2023 that the business would stop back-office job hiring and anticipated roughly 7,800 positions—about 30% of some departments—to be replaced by AI in the next years. These events indicate that many businesses are already using artificial intelligence to simplify white-collar tasks even without a single startup “automating everything” overnight. These trends indicate that even without a single startup “automating everything” overnight, many businesses are already using artificial intelligence to simplify white-collar work. Almost every sector, looking further ahead, will be molded in some way. Though human creativity and control stay vital, creative sectors including journalism, illustration, and video production are experimenting with AI that can produce material. In fields like law or medicine, artificial intelligence systems are learning to draft legal papers and assist in diagnoses, maybe taking over duties formerly performed by junior staff or assistants. Service and physical businesses won’t be immune either.
For the time being, Mechanize’s emphasis may be on digital labor; yet, as robotics and artificial intelligence converge, occupations in retail, logistics, and even construction could experience more automation (think self-driving cars or robot warehouse workers). Still, experts point out that some jobs will probably stay in human hands longer either due to their need for complicated human interaction or because we culturally prefer a human touch. Many jobs, for example, need emotional intelligence that present artificial intelligence finds difficult to reproduce or personal interactions. One OECD report noted that even in very automatable jobs, many of the daily activities—such as client interaction in accounting—are difficult to completely automate with current technology.
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As one commentator dryly pointed out, some consumers will always “like to deal with people” for services, not only robots. As one commentator dryly pointed out, some consumers will always prefer “dealing with people” for services, not just robots. While it doesn’t surely mean disaster for individual employees if we can adjust, the idea of widespread automation is unsettling. Though the change can be difficult, history has shown that although technology can destroy some jobs, it also generates others. In a situation where AI manages most of the mundane tasks, human jobs might change to supervising AI systems, managing exceptional situations, or emphasizing uniquely human qualities. TechCrunch speculated that maybe “each human worker has a personal crew of [AI] agents” to increase their productivity, instead of replacing them totally
Your work would change to include managing and working with AIs in that scenario; you might not lose your job to an AI. Your work would then change to include running and working with artificial intelligences. Conversely, if we really get to a stage where no human is required for productive work, our economic models would have to change significantly. Because our traditional concept of “employment” would be turned upside down, society could think about ideas like universal basic income or other support systems. One study projected roughly 12 million workers in Europe and the United States would have to change jobs by 2030 because of AI and automation; forecasts on automation’s influence differ.
A major change, but not the whole labor force. This implies that although many jobs will change or perhaps disappear, new kinds of work will arise, and some current positions will endure by adapting. The main question is speed: will changes come quickly, causing major disruption, or slowly, allowing time for retraining and adaptation? Mechanize’s bold strategy increases the stakes on that timetable, pushing people and businesses to begin considering how to negotiate an AI-overloaded future right now.
The conflict between Mechanize’s lofty goals and the people’s worries has become a flashpoint in the larger discussion on artificial intelligence and the future of work.
Reasons for the Plan’s Controversial Nature Automating Every Job
The notion of automating every job naturally drew quick criticism. Besiroglu faced severe backlash and even rage when he revealed Mechanize’s plans on social media. X users lambasted the news, calling it tone-deaf and hazardous. Even other technical professionals expressed worry. For instance, physicist Anthony Aguirre said, “The automation of most human labor is indeed a huge prize for companies… For most people, I believe it will be a significant loss.
Many workers and observers see what excites some investors and technologists about this “automation of everything” vision as disastrous. Put another way, what fascinates some investors and technologists about this “automation of everything” concept causes great concern for many workers and observers. A future without jobs seems to them more like a nightmare than a paradise one. The basic public worry is simple: Should artificial intelligence agents run all the jobs, what are people meant to do? People working for a living shape our economy and society. Remove jobs and you remove stability, income, and purpose for millions of people. One tech source put it bluntly: “How does economic abundance operate when no one makes anything?”How does economic abundance operate when no one earns anything? as one tech site bluntly put it.
It’s a reasonable query: if no one works, who will have the funds to buy the goods and services these AI workers create? Critics of Mechanize contend that its utopian promise of “explosive growth” ignores this fundamental issue.
The founder of the startup maintains that even with declining salaries, new kinds of wealth distribution—such as dividends, investments, or welfare—could support people.
Many, though, find that line of reasoning unconvincing or fear it is too hopeful. Many, though, find that debate unfulfilling or fear it too hopeful. Many people battle to make ends meet while those who own the artificial intelligence would have their wealth and power concentrated by such extreme automation. Apart from the financial concerns, the debate has emotional and ethical aspects as well. Work is more than only a salary for many of us; it gives our life structure, identity, and meaning. A world where people are told to “step aside” so machines can do everything can feel quite strange. Should their responsibilities become obsolete, people fear losing their sense of purpose. There are questions about dignity and autonomy as well: Is it moral to create technology that on a mass scale renders human labor unnecessary? Critics say it is reckless to rush toward complete automation without a strategy for the human impact. They point out that earlier waves of automation, such as industrial robots in manufacturing, were difficult enough and only aimed at particular tasks. Here we are discussing possibly every job—a disturbance far beyond the size of any prior industrial revolution. The desire of Mechanize’s founders to hasten this transformation “as soon as possible”
merely increases the public’s worry that society will lack time to adjust. To be fair, not everyone views doom and gloom. Some futurists and tech enthusiasts welcome the concept of artificial intelligence liberating us from toil. While machines do the work, they see people spending time on creative endeavors, personal development, or just enjoying life. Besiroglu and his supporters, including well-known Silicon Valley personalities, really think they are building a better future for people.
From their perspective, if the economic advantages are handled sensibly, automating drudgery could allow everyone to enjoy a better standard of living. Yet even those who support this idea admit it poses difficult issues to consider. Colored by very real concerns about livelihood and well-being, the present public mood leans toward caution and skepticism. Many people say a future without work “sounds like a threat, not progress,” according to one observer.
The conflict between Mechanize’s lofty goals and the people’s worries has become a flashpoint in the larger discussion on artificial intelligence and the future of work.
Adapting and Safeguarding Your Career in the Age of AI Automating Every Job
Automation is quickening, thus it’s only normal to worry about your own career. The good news is that people are not powerless in this shift. Here are five practical strategies to safeguard and advance your career, so transforming the AI revolution from a danger into a chance:
- The age of “one-and-done” education is finished; welcome continuous learning and upskilling. Some skills will lose value as artificial intelligence takes over responsibilities; others will be more crucial. Promise to always educate yourself during your career. This could involve going back to school to change fields, earning certifications, or even taking online courses in new technologies. Those who actively upskill will be better positioned to enter new roles arising. Indeed, research indicates that a lot of employees—particularly in low-wage positions—will require assistance acquiring new skills to remain competitive in the new job market.
- Develop Human-Centric Skills: Although artificial intelligence excels at data crunching and pattern recognition, there are still areas where humans have the upper hand. Demand will still be for abilities such as creativity, critical thinking, leadership, empathy, and communication. Jobs that require judgment, relationship building, or caring for others are not quite as easy to automate. Developing your own human abilities will help you to be more flexible and useful in positions that fit AI. An artificial intelligence could, for instance, examine medical images; yet, human doctors and nurses would still require compassion and interpersonal skills to treat their patients.
- Use artificial intelligence as a tool rather than a threat. Instead of seeing artificial intelligence as your adversary, think of it as a potent tool you can use. In many fields, those who master artificial intelligence tools will outpace those who do not. A.I. could help you write and debug code if you were a programmer; if you were a marketer, it could help you examine consumer data more quickly. Learning to cooperate with artificial intelligence will help you to be more productive and concentrate on more important activities. Consider it this way: you might have a personal team of AI “assistants” boosting your skills Employers will probably appreciate those who can properly include artificial intelligence into their work processes. Employers will probably appreciate those who can efficiently include artificial intelligence into their work. A good way to future-proof your position is to become the person who can oversee and guide artificial intelligence systems.
- In the years to come, one of the most crucial personal traits will be flexibility; thus, remain open to change and adaptable. Opportunities will come, so be ready to turn into new jobs or even new roles. Should your work be automated in certain areas, seek opportunities to take on responsibilities not directly related to that or into overseeing the new technologies. Your current company or sector may be changing if it is contracting. Be ready to leave your comfort zone and watch for trends. Those who see change as a chance to reinvent themselves rather than a disaster will be the ones who flourish. Remembering that our great-grandparents or grandparents witnessed significant changes—from farm labor to factory labor, for example—yet new livelihoods did arise could be useful. Your greatest weapon against uncertainty is flexibility.
- Participate in the Bigger Conversation: Remember, you are a citizen and stakeholder in how this all unfolds, not only a bystander. Keep an eye on the public discussion on artificial intelligence and jobs; back measures that could help to create a more sustainable future for all. If full automation becomes reality, this could mean supporting stronger social safety nets, pushing for corporate responsibility in using artificial intelligence, or even something like a universal basic income. Participating in the conversation—whether at your job or in society at large—helps to guarantee the human viewpoint is not lost among the technology euphoria. We all have to establish the guidelines for an AI-driven economy; therefore, let your voice be heard. At the very least, remaining informed will enable you to make better personal choices regarding your career and finances as the situation changes.
Conclusion: Navigating an Automated Future with Humanity Automating Every Job
The concept of automating every job on earth is as amazing as it is disturbing. It makes us struggle with profound issues regarding what we value in society and how technology should support us. On one side, an artificial intelligence company confident that removing people from the labor equation will help to usher in a new age of prosperity and abundance is pushing the envelope. Conversely, we have the legitimate concerns and emotional upheaval of millions of individuals who feel their livelihoods and identities endangered. The reality is that both of these points of view are important. Automation could free people from hazardous or boring jobs and promises amazing efficiencies.
Mismanagement, however, might also endanger the basis of our economy and communities. Much will depend on our decision on how to change as we go forward. The future is not set. Whether the result of this technological wave is dystopian or utopian is shaped by governments, businesses, and people all involved. We could find a balance where artificial intelligence improves human life without making people economically obsolete by means of careful policies, ethical considerations, and proactive adaptation. Maybe the future employment scene will be quite different, but people will still discover new methods to generate value, meaning, and purpose even with the more sophisticated tools we use. Remembering that we have negotiated great technological changes in the past is essential. Though the digital jobs of today were unimaginable to 19th century agricultural laborers, society found new equilibrium.
Undoubtedly, this most recent jump, which automates “every job,” is a greater difficulty than any we have ever confronted. It’s natural to be concerned about it; that only indicates we care about the result. We can make sure we remain in the driver’s seat of progress by channeling that worry into preparation, skill-building, and fair future advocacy. The discussion started by this contentious artificial intelligence company is a wake-up call: the world of work is changing quickly. Yet, if we are resilient, sympathetic, and creative, we can step up. Ultimately, a fundamental component of what defines us is our capacity to change and seek significance. That human spirit will be our best asset in the face of smart machines and large-scale automation.
Let’s use it to design a future of work (or perhaps a future beyond “work”) we can be proud of—one where technology supports people, not the other way around.
