Benzingaยท2025-11-17 11:09Core Insights - Economist Justin Wolfers warns that white-collar professionals are facing a significant threat from artificial intelligence (AI), likening their situation to that of Detroit auto workers in the 1970s [1][4] - Unlike previous technological revolutions that primarily affected blue-collar jobs, AI is now targeting cognitive work, impacting white-collar roles [2][3] Job Market Impact - Major corporations, including Amazon and UPS, have announced substantial layoffs, with Amazon planning to cut nearly 30,000 jobs and UPS increasing its job cuts to 48,000 [5][8] - Other companies also reported significant workforce reductions, including Chegg Inc. (45% of workforce), Target Corp. (1,800 roles), and Paramount Skydance Corp. (2,000 jobs) [8] AI and Market Performance - Despite employment concerns, AI-linked instruments have shown positive market performance, with futures for major indices like S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, and Dow Jones trading higher [6] - A list of AI-linked ETFs indicates strong year-to-date and one-year performance, with some ETFs like Defiance Quantum ETF showing a 29.73% YTD return and 66.04% over one year [9]