Technology, AI & the U.S. Labor Market

AI’s effects on labor markets are beginning to come into focus across three broad categories: knowledge work, manual labor, and transportation.

Software engineering is experiencing a rapid workflow evolution; physical AI and robotics are advancing rapidly in manufacturing, warehousing, and elder care; and robotaxis and automated trucks are moving from pilot programs toward commercial deployment in multiple U.S. metros.

This section summarizes the current state of AI and related technology in the context of the economy and labor market and provides tools and resources to help the reader understand and track the evolving interaction between artificial intelligence, technology, and labor.

AI-generated image of a humanoid robot seated at the head of a corporate boardroom table with human colleagues

Autonomous vehicle driving along a coastal highway

AI & Knowledge Work: Job Augmentation, Creation and Displacement

1. Overview 2. Measuring AI Model Progress 3. AI Workplace Adoption & Job Displacement / Creation 4. AI & CRE Implications for Office, Life Science and Multifamily

AI & Blue-Collar Work: Robotics, Physical AI & the Labor Market

1. Overview 2. Measuring Progress in Robotics and Physical AI 3. Humanoid Robots: Progress to-date, Investment and Deployment 4. Non-Humanoid Robots: History, Growth and Demographic Connection 5. CRE Implications / Geographic Dispersion

AI & Transportation: Robotaxis & Automated Trucking

1. Overview 2. Automated Driving: Commercial Deployment & Safety 3. Automated Driving and Driving Jobs 4. Automated Driving: CRE Implications

Key Data Sources & Research

METR Time Horizons
metr.org - AI autonomous task capability benchmark; updated per model release

Anthropic Economic Index
anthropic.com - Actual AI usage data by occupation; quarterly reports

McKinsey Global Institute
mckinsey.com/mgi - AI adoption surveys, automation potential, workforce transition research

Challenger, Gray & Christmas
challengergray.com - Monthly U.S. job cut reports with AI attribution tracking

Stanford Digital Economy Lab
digitaleconomy.stanford.edu - AI labor market research using ADP payroll data

Bureau of Labor Statistics
bls.gov - Occupational employment data, productivity statistics, job openings by sector