The age of AI job losses is here and it might crash the global economy. Klarna’s CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski is sounding the alarm: artificial intelligence could wipe out white-collar jobs so rapidly that it pushes countries into recession.
Speaking on The Times Tech Podcast, the fintech boss behind Klarna, the popular “buy now, pay later” platform, shared a stark warning that AI job losses are being seriously underestimated by tech leaders.
“Many CEOs downplay the consequences of AI on jobs… I don’t want to be one of them,” he said.
Here are five key takeaways from the article:
- Klarna’s CEO warns AI job losses could lead to a recession.
- Entry-level white-collar jobs are at highest risk.
- Human-centered roles like fraud prevention may still thrive.
- CEOs globally are eyeing mass automation for “efficiency.”
- Economic indicators haven’t caught up to the real-world impact yet.
AI Job Losses Are Just Getting Started
Siemiatkowski revealed Klarna’s own workforce shrank from 5,500 to 3,000 in recent years, much of it due to automation and AI job cuts. He’s not alone. Tech companies across the globe are racing to integrate AI tools that promise “efficiency,” often at the expense of real human workers.
“I get emails almost every day from CEOs looking to streamline with AI,” he added. “The number of jobs at stake is massive.”
White-Collar Automation: A Silent Threat
While AI tools like ChatGPT or Anthropic’s Claude are boosting productivity, they’re also replacing tasks traditionally done by junior professionals. Entry-level analysts, admin workers, and even some engineers are becoming obsolete faster than anyone predicted.
This wave of white-collar automation may create a temporary productivity boom but it also risks triggering a recession if mass unemployment spreads before new job sectors emerge.
AI Recession: An Unavoidable Future?
Siemiatkowski argues that the economic data hasn’t yet caught up with what’s happening on the ground. While the numbers look stable for now, the foundation is cracking.
“When white-collar jobs vanish quickly, recessions often follow,” he said.
“And unfortunately, that’s exactly where AI is pushing us.”
This concern mirrors the view of Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who warned that half of all entry-level professional jobs could be eliminated within five years.
The Human Touch Still Matters
Despite the gloomy forecast, Siemiatkowski remains hopeful that not all is lost. Roles that rely on emotional intelligence, fraud detection, or complex reasoning still need a human touch.
At Klarna, customer service reps now focus more on fraud cases, and their value has gone up. “AI will raise the bar for human jobs,” he explained. “Client-facing roles will become more skilled and more appreciated.”
The Future of Work in an AI World
Other tech leaders are divided. Mistral’s CEO Arthur Mensch warned of a “religious” fascination with overpowering human intelligence. Google DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis predicts it’ll take another 5–10 years for AI to truly surpass humans.
But the warning signs are already here. If AI job losses continue unchecked, the very structure of the global economy may shift and not in favor of the average worker.
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