Surprisingly, early economic data suggests that jobs most exposed to AI may actually be benefiting. A 2026 forecast from Vanguard found that the 100 occupations most affected by AI automation are outperforming the rest of the labor market in both job growth and real wage increases.

The report concludes that mastery—not avoidance—of AI is becoming a competitive advantage. While high-profile layoffs at major tech firms helped fuel the “AI is taking jobs” narrative, the underlying reality appears more complex: companies are reallocating resources toward growth areas, and workers who integrate AI into their skillsets are making themselves more valuable, not replaceable.