Cathie Wood, the visionary founder of ARK Invest, is offering a surprisingly optimistic outlook on the impact of chatbots and robots on the job market, asserting that artificial intelligence will ultimately generate ‘many more jobs than it displaces.’ This perspective directly counters widespread anxieties surrounding the potential for AI to eliminate careers, particularly those involving chatbots and humanoid robots. The core of Wood’s argument, unveiled in a detailed weekend X (formerly Twitter) thread following her appearance on Steven Bartlett’s “Diary of a CEO” podcast, rests on historical precedent and current labor market dynamics. Wood contends that existing demographic trends – namely, the impending wave of baby boomer retirements and a smaller subsequent generation entering the workforce – are already constraining the labor pool. Consequently, she predicts companies will leverage AI to enhance productivity rather than resorting to widespread payroll cuts. As Wood eloquently stated, ‘We’ll see more people taking risks on themselves,’ signaling a potential shift towards greater entrepreneurial activity and innovation fueled by AI-driven opportunities. She further anticipates a radical transformation of the traditional corporation, suggesting a future where businesses operate significantly differently.
Following the interview, Wood engaged with OpenAI’s ChatGPT and xAI’s Grok 3, tasking them with identifying occupations that don’t yet exist. The responses from these advanced AI models were remarkably prolific, generating a wealth of novel job ideas. Wood encouraged her followers to ‘test them yourselves,’ specifically urging the inclusion of ‘ideas from futurists’ and elements of science fiction within their prompts, highlighting the importance of proactive engagement with emerging technologies. This approach underscores Wood's belief that rather than passively reacting to technological advancements, individuals and businesses should actively explore and shape the future of work. The activity aligns with Wood’s long-held thesis that innovation cycles consistently expand employment opportunities. Notably, last month she had already argued that AI advances in healthcare could rival the economic impact of autonomous taxis, demonstrating her foresight regarding the transformative potential of AI across diverse sectors.
The implications of this perspective are significant, suggesting a future where AI doesn’t just automate existing jobs but creates entirely new industries and roles. Furthermore, Wood’s views are reflected in ARK Invest’s investment strategy, with the firm heavily investing in companies poised to benefit from the AI boom. Recently, ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) increased its stake in AMD, and has been acquiring shares of Temu AI and other data-rich platforms. The firm has also been investing in Nvidia Corp. (NVDA), aiming for broad-based exposure to the AI chip market, rather than relying on a single technological winner. Wood’s conviction regarding AI’s disruptive potential is further evidenced by her assertion that it will ‘disrupt the traditional world order,’ and her prediction that everyone will have an AI-powered personal assistant in the near future.
This perspective suggests a fundamental shift in how humans interact with technology and how work is performed. The impact of this technological shift is far-reaching, potentially reshaping economies and societies globally. The combination of demographic trends, investment strategy, and Wood’s unwavering belief in innovation’s ability to create jobs paints a compelling picture of a future where AI isn’t a threat, but a catalyst for economic growth and human potential. Photo Courtesy: twenty1studio On Shutterstock.com Read next: Niall Ferguson Says US And China Locked In A ‘Cold War’ — Larry Summers Calls It ‘Hostile Codependence’ Stock Score Locked: Want to See it? Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock – anytime. © 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
