Vanessa Bates Ramirez predicted a fundamental shift in the human experience of work as artificial intelligence reshapes job functions and daily tasks.

“In a not-too-distant future, we may not be doing work at all—at least not the work we’re used to,” Ramirez wrote in a recent article for AI Frontiers. “Instead, we’ll be overseeing AI agents performing familiar tasks for us.”

“AI agents are already taking over a range of human tasks,” she added. “Specialized AI agents are at work right now in customer service, drug discovery, and software development, increasing productivity and speed-to-market by 50% or more, according to one study.”

A March 2024 report from Accenture found that generative AI could automate or assist with up to 40% of the average workday, with creative and administrative industries seeing the largest effects. The transition may lead to new jobs focused on managing AI agents—while many traditional roles are phased out or transformed.

Earlier this year, Goldman Sachs projected that as many as 300 million jobs could be disrupted by AI technologies, though it emphasized the parallel opportunity to boost productivity and reshape global economic models.

Vanessa Bates Ramirez is a contributing writer for AI Frontiers, a publication focused on how artificial intelligence is changing industry, society, and the nature of work.