Artificial intelligence and robotics could automate more than half of all work carried out in the United States — with existing technology — according to a new report from the McKinsey Global Institute.
The research finds that 57% of US work hours could be automated today if organisations redesigned workflows around the capabilities of AI agents and robots. The analysis suggests that nearly half of American jobs sit within occupations facing significant disruption from automation.
Around 40% of the roles most vulnerable involve drafting, information processing and routine reasoning — tasks at which AI agents already excel. Hiring in some of these fields, including paralegals, office administrators and even computer programmers, has slowed as companies assess the potential for AI to absorb large portions of their workload.
Physical roles are also at risk. Jobs performed in hazardous environments, such as warehouse operations or machinery handling, are highly likely to be replaced by robotics as adoption costs fall and safety concerns increase.
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