Cisco President Says 'the Future Will Likely Have More Jobs' as AI Could Create More Work Than It Eliminates

Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) President Jeetu Patel said artificial intelligence is likely to reshape the global workforce by creating more jobs than it eliminates over the next five years, while warning that workers who fail to adapt to AI-driven changes could be left behind.

Patel Predicts AI Job Growth

On Sunday, in a post on X, Patel argued that early data is beginning to support his view that AI will expand employment opportunities rather than trigger widespread job losses.

"I’ve been saying this for months, and the early data is beginning to support it. Five years from now, I believe AI will create more jobs than it eliminates," He said.

Patel said AI will not remove the need for workers but will move challenges to different parts of a workflow.

When AI makes one process faster, organizations will need people to solve new constraints and capture additional value.

"Automation does not eliminate the need for human contribution," He said. "It often reveals how much more could be accomplished with it."

AI Fluency Could Define Future Workers

Patel said the biggest divide in the future workforce will be between people who can effectively use AI and those who cannot.

"AI-fluent people will not be 10% more productive," he said.

He added, "In some forms of work, they could be 50x or even 100x more effective."

Patel said the assumption that society has a fixed amount of work is flawed.

He argued that when technology lowers costs, companies create new products, enter new markets and pursue ideas that were previously impossible.

"The future will likely have more jobs," Patel wrote.

He added, "But they will not be the same jobs, performed in the same way, by people with the same skills."

Patel said the priority should be helping workers develop AI skills rather than attempting to shield them from the technology.

AI Expected To Boost Jobs

Earlier, Apollo economist Torsten Sløk said there is "zero evidence" AI is reducing jobs, noting growth in AI-related roles and demand for workers tied to data centers, semiconductors and energy.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos similarly said AI will enhance human capabilities rather than eliminate jobs, arguing the technology will "elevate" workers.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.