AI will eliminate remote jobs: Google DeepMind co-founder

Shane Legg, co-founder and Chief AGI Scientist at Google DeepMind, has recently stated that advancing artificial intelligence will lead to the elimination of many remote and work-from-home jobs.

Speaking at a recent interview with British mathematician Professor Hannah Fry, Legg explained that jobs performed entirely through a computer using cognitive skills are the most vulnerable. He argued that as AI systems reach and surpass human-level capabilities in language, coding, mathematics, and problem-solving, companies will need fewer employees to achieve the same results. He cited software engineering as an example, where a team of 100 could shrink to 20 using AI tools.

According to Legg, this shift will hit digital and knowledge-based roles first, while jobs requiring physical work, like plumbing, will be affected later. He warned that AI could fundamentally change the economy by making cognitive labour cheaper to automate, potentially disrupting how people earn income.

Despite this, Legg described AI's overall potential as ushering in a "golden age" of productivity and scientific advancement. He emphasised that the challenge will be ensuring the resulting wealth is distributed equitably. Legg stated that these changes are not immediate but will accelerate as AI reaches professional-level performance in key areas.