David Marchick, dean of the Kogod School of Business at American University, said the predicted net job loss from artificial intelligence has not occurred.

This assessment challenges widespread fears that automation will lead to mass unemployment, suggesting instead that the labor market is adapting to new technology through skill evolution.

Speaking during an interview at CNBC’s ‘Squawk Box’ studio, Marchick said the disruption caused by AI is changing how work is performed, but the catastrophic employment drops some analysts forecasted are not appearing in the current data.

"We are not seeing the net job loss that people had predicted," Marchick said.

To prepare for this shifting economy, Marchick said American University is integrating AI-related skills into its curriculum. The institution is teaching students how to use these tools to remain competitive in a workforce where AI is becoming a standard component of business operations.

This perspective aligns with some economic modeling regarding the scale of disruption. OpenAI economists have estimated that 18% [1] of U.S. jobs are at a relatively higher risk of elimination in the near term.

Marchick said the focus for educational institutions must be on equipping students with the ability to leverage AI rather than fearing its implementation. By embedding these tools into the learning process, the university aims to ensure graduates can navigate an AI-driven economy.

Despite the risk to specific roles, the current trend suggests a transformation of job descriptions rather than a total disappearance of positions. The transition requires a workforce capable of augmenting their human expertise with machine intelligence.

“"We are not seeing the net job loss that people had predicted."”

The disconnect between predicted job losses and current employment data suggests that AI is currently acting more as a tool for augmentation than a wholesale replacement for human labor. However, the 18% risk factor identified by OpenAI indicates that while net employment may remain stable, significant churn and displacement within specific sectors are likely, necessitating a rapid overhaul of higher education and professional training.