In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are poised to automate hundreds of millions of jobs, the concept of a "useless class" - coined by historian Yuval Noah Harari to describe those rendered economically irrelevant by machines - looms large. Yet, history suggests economies are remarkably adaptive, and humans are resilient in finding new pursuits.
The real intrigue lies not in doom-and-gloom scenarios but in the turbulent events unfolding in the coming years. As AI reshapes labor markets, we're witnessing a resurgence of neo-Luddism, a modern echo of 19th-century protests against mechanization.
This article explores how automation will ripple through society, drawing on recent data and historical parallels, while emphasizing that technology's march is unstoppable - and ultimately beneficial.
The Scale of Automation: Displacement and Creation in Tandem
AI's impact on employment is already measurable and accelerating. A 2025 MIT study reveals that AI can currently replace 11.7% of the U.S. workforce, particularly in finance, healthcare, and professional services.
Globally, the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 estimates that advancements in AI, robotics, and automation could displace 85 million jobs by 2030, but simultaneously create 97 million new ones, often in tech-driven fields like big data and machine learning.
PwC's 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer echoes this, noting that sectors highly exposed to AI, such as finance and IT, are seeing faster job growth and wage increases - up 3.8% from 2023 to 2025 - defying predictions of mass unemployment.
Rather than vanishing, work is transforming. J.P. Morgan's 2025 analysis highlights that AI is displacing routine tasks but boosting productivity, potentially adding 1.5% to U.S. GDP by 2035. This aligns with the Jevons Paradox, first observed by economist William Stanley Jevons in 1865 regarding coal efficiency: as a resource becomes cheaper and more efficient, its consumption rises.
Applied to AI, this means cheaper automation doesn't eliminate jobs but multiplies them. For instance, AI tools in software development have reduced coding time, yet demand for developers has surged as more projects become viable. A 2025 Exponential View piece notes that AI's efficiency could lead to an explosion in software creation, creating roles for "automated developers" and expanding the industry. Similarly, in equipment finance, AI streamlines processes but increases overall demand, preserving jobs per a 2025 analysis.
The Rise of Neo-Luddism: Echoes of the Past in a Digital Age
Neo-Luddism, the modern pushback against technology as harmful and in need of reversal, is gaining traction amid AI fears. Unlike the original Luddites who smashed looms in the 1810s to protect artisan jobs, today's neo-Luddites protest AI's encroachment on creative and intellectual work.
A 2024 Guardian article profiled figures warning of an "AI apocalypse," framing it as a timeline of mere years before machines dominate.
CNN reported in 2025 on a Gen Z-led "Luddite renaissance," where young people reject AI-driven platforms in favor of analog lifestyles. On X (formerly Twitter), anti-AI sentiments are rampant: one post from December 2025 calls for heightened activism to "protect artists" and prevent "theft" of intellectual property, garnering views and sparking debates.
Another user likens anti-AI protesters to "vegans of the tech world," highlighting the fervor in online discourse.
Yet, history shows such movements rarely halt progress.
The original Luddites didn't stop industrialization; their descendants worked in the factories they opposed. Similarly, neo-Luddites risk marginalization.
Some channel frustration into politics, advocating robot taxes or human labor quotas - echoing proposals in Europe and the U.S. to mitigate job loss.
A 2023 Wired article notes workers rising against automated warehouses and gig economy AI, fueling union actions. Others form "digital refusal" subcultures, akin to 21st-century Amish, shunning smart tech. A Medium piece from 2023 predicts these movements will be short-lived, as economic pressures force adaptation. In the Bay Area, groups like Stop AI have staged visible protests, but internal disruptions - like the 2025 disappearance of cofounder Sam Kirchner—underscore the movement's fragility.
Technology's advance is inevitable because it confers dominance. Nations or firms resisting automation—say, to protect 10 million drivers or marketers - will be outcompeted by more efficient rivals, much like countries slow to adopt the internet in the 1990s fell behind.
The True Challenge: Navigating the Turbulent Transition
The gravest issue isn't neo-Luddism itself but the 10-20-year transitional window where old systems falter and new ones emerge. During this period, mass job displacement could exacerbate inequality and social unrest.
A 2025 Stanford study on AI-exposed workers shows employment declines, particularly among young people, even after accounting for firm-specific factors.
Brookings warns that worker retraining has limits, as AI displaces roles faster than reskilling can keep up, potentially leading to financial hardship and mental health crises. Socially, this uncertainty breeds scapegoating: politicians may exploit fears, fueling populism. Historical parallels abound - industrial revolutions sparked revolutions and wars as societies adjusted.
In this "window of turbulence," radical experiments could arise: universal basic income trials, as piloted in places like Finland, or conflicts over resource allocation.
A CIGI analysis notes accelerating job losses could diminish human interaction, eroding social skills and purpose.
Humans struggle with ambiguity, often misdirecting blame at tech rather than systemic flaws.
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Beyond the Storm: Stabilization and New Horizons
Post-transition, the world stabilizes. AI isn't just destroying jobs - it's birthing them. Autodesk's 2025 report shows explosive growth in roles like AI engineers (up 143%) and prompt engineers (up 136%).
The Economist in 2025 highlights AI creating entirely new occupations, such as training AI agents or embedding them in businesses.
RAND's analysis confirms AI is increasing employment overall, with Veritone noting AI roles' median salary hitting $157,000 in Q1 2025. Professions we can't yet imagine - perhaps AI ethicists or virtual reality curators - will emerge, alongside novel forms of self-realization, from creative hobbies to community-driven innovations.
Neo-Luddism will fade into history as another futile battle against the future - not out of malice or ignorance, but because progress is an impartial force of the universe. As we adapt, the "useless class" may prove a myth, replaced by a more dynamic, abundant society. The key is managing the transition with foresight, empathy, and policies that bridge the gap.
