People are losing their jobs due to AI. What should middle class people do and where should they go? What is the government’s say on this?

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept—it is a reality that’s deeply embedded in our daily lives. From voice assistants like Alexa and Siri to self-checkout kiosks, AI is everywhere. While it brings innovation and efficiency, it also brings uncertainty, particularly in the job market. As automation becomes more advanced, many jobs traditionally held by humans are being replaced by machines and algorithms. This change is hitting the middle class the hardest—people in white-collar and blue-collar jobs who find themselves in an increasingly precarious position.https://cloud.google.com/

This article explores the impact of AI on employment, especially for the middle class, what individuals can do to adapt, and what steps (if any) governments are taking or should take to address this growing issue.

The AI Revolution and Job Displacement

How AI is Causing Job Losses

AI systems are designed to analyze data, recognize patterns, and make decisions—often faster and more accurately than humans. As a result, companies are increasingly automating roles that were once considered secure: [https://gemini.google.com/app?hl=en-IN]

• Customer service: Chatbots and AI-powered call centers reduce the need for human agents.
• Retail and hospitality: Self-checkouts, online booking systems, and robotic kitchen assistants.
• Transportation: Self-driving trucks and delivery drones threaten drivers’ jobs.
• Finance and accounting: AI tools are managing budgets, generating reports, and identifying fraud.
• Media and content creation: Automated writing tools and AI-generated videos are replacing human creators.

Even high-skilled jobs such as legal research, medical diagnostics, and coding are seeing some degree of automation.

Who Is Being Affected the Most?

Middle-class professionals—those who have acquired college degrees, vocational training, or specialized skills—are increasingly vulnerable. These are not just factory workers or clerical staff, but also:

• Accountants
• Legal assistants
• Paralegals
• Data entry workers
• Call center agents
• HR professionals
• Marketing analysts

While AI can enhance productivity in these roles, it also means fewer people are needed to perform the same tasks.

The Emotional and Economic Toll on the Middle Class

For the middle class, losing a job means more than just loss of income. It shakes the foundation of financial stability, self-worth, and long-term security. Mortgages, children’s education, healthcare—everything is at risk.

• Rising anxiety about career longevity.
• Reduced disposable income, affecting consumer demand.
• Widening income inequality, as tech-savvy and high-level executives reap disproportionate benefits.

The shift is creating a new class divide: those who control or create AI, and those who are displaced by it.

What Can the Middle Class Do?

1. Upskill and Reskill

The most repeated advice from experts is to adapt and learn. Upskilling means improving current abilities, while reskilling refers to learning completely new ones.

In-demand skills include:

• Data science and analytics
• Machine learning and AI operations
• Cybersecurity
• Digital marketing
• Programming (Python, JavaScript, etc.)
• Cloud computing
• Emotional intelligence and soft skills (which machines can’t replicate well)

Where to learn:

• Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX offer low-cost or free courses.
• Government-sponsored training programs (where available).
• Employer-funded upskilling initiatives.

2. Embrace Tech-Complementary Roles

Instead of competing with AI, professionals should look for roles that complement technology. For example:

• AI trainers or prompt engineers
• Tech ethicists
• Human-AI interaction designers
• Customer success roles that need empathy and negotiation
• Creative professionals—writers, artists, strategists—who use AI as a tool, not a replacement

3. Build Multiple Income Streams

Relying solely on a single job may not be sustainable in the AI-driven future. The middle class can:

• Freelance or consult in their area of expertise.
• Start small businesses or side hustles.
• Invest in long-term assets like real estate or stocks (with proper education).
• Create and sell digital products like courses, books, or art.

4. Relocate or Switch Sectors

Some sectors are being automated faster than others. Healthcare, education, renewable energy, and trades (like plumbing or electrical work) are seeing strong demand.

Geographically, cities with booming tech industries may offer more opportunities—although housing affordability is a concern.

Where Should They Go?

It’s a metaphorical question, but also a literal one. Should displaced workers just accept their fate, or can they find a place—online, geographically, or economically—where they can still thrive?

Digital Economy

The internet offers a lifeline. People can earn by:

• Freelancing online (Upwork, Fiverr)
• Becoming influencers or content creators
• Selling products via e-commerce
• Offering virtual assistance or tutoring services

The creator economy and gig economy have given millions of people a platform—but they come with instability and lack of benefits.

Emerging Sectors

As AI eliminates some jobs, it creates others:

• Renewable energy
• AI ethics and safety
• Mental health and wellness
• Sustainable agriculture
• Elder care (especially in aging populations)

Middle-class workers must aim to pivot into industries with long-term resilience.

What Is the Government’s Say on This?

Current Stance in India and Globally

Most governments, including India’s, acknowledge the AI wave but lack a comprehensive response. Here’s what’s happening:

In India:

• NITI Aayog’s National Strategy for AI: Promotes AI for inclusive growth but doesn’t directly address job loss.
• Skill India Mission: Aims to train 400 million people by 2025, but implementation remains patchy.
• Startup India and Digital India: Encourage innovation but favor tech entrepreneurs over displaced workers.
• No universal basic income (UBI) or strong unemployment safety nets in place.

Globally:

• European Union: Actively regulating AI and funding workforce transition projects.
• USA: Investments in AI are high, but policies to safeguard workers are minimal.
• China: Rapid AI expansion with centralized government-led reskilling programs.

What Should the Government Be Doing?

To protect its middle class, governments must step in with policy solutions. Here are a few suggestions:

Universal Reskilling Programs

Free or subsidized tech and soft-skills training should be widely available, particularly for people in declining industries.

Stronger Social Safety Nets

Unemployment benefits, job guarantees, or income replacement schemes for those undergoing transitions.

AI Impact Audits

Mandate companies to assess the human impact before implementing AI at scale. Just like environmental impact assessments.

Public-Private Partnerships

Governments can partner with tech giants to fund retraining programs, apprenticeships, and innovation hubs.

Universal Basic Income (UBI)

Some economists propose a monthly income for all citizens, regardless of employment status. Though controversial and expensive, UBI may be a way to protect people from automation shocks.

AI Regulations

Create legal frameworks to ensure AI is used ethically and doesn’t result in mass layoffs without alternatives for the workforce.

Voices from the Middle Class

Many middle-class individuals feel neglected in public discourse around AI. While the elite profit from innovation and the lower classes often receive welfare attention, the middle class finds itself stuck—not rich enough to invest, not poor enough to be rescued.

A 2024 report by the World Economic Forum estimated that 85 million jobs may be displaced by 2025 due to automation, but 97 million new roles may emerge—provided the workforce is prepared.