Tech
The Fear Of AI Job Loss Is Real, But It Isn’t Inevitable
Why the biggest threat in the age of AI isn’t automation, but the choices business leaders make and how companies can lower costs, enhance performance, and keep people employed.
For much of the past two years, the public conversation around artificial intelligence has been dominated by predictions of mass unemployment. With 2026 approaching, those warnings feel louder than ever. But it’s more complicated than that. AI doesn’t have to result in job cuts
In November, MIT released the Iceberg Index, a simulation analyzing 151 million U.S. workers, 923 occupations, and 32,000 skills to determine which tasks today’s AI systems are technically capable of performing. Their findings showed AI could theoretically handle work equal to 11.7% of all U.S. wages, about $1.2 trillion worth of labor.
“Automation takes the easy interactions and humans are left with the hardest ones.”
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The researchers stressed this is task-level exposure, not a forecast of job losses. It represents what AI can do technically today, not what employers will actually choose to automate. That distinction, between technological capability and organizational choice, defines the moment companies now find themselves in.
Few people sit closer to these decisions than Gal Rimon, CEO and founder of Centrical, an employee performance intelligence platform that uses AI to translate real-time data into personalized learning, coaching workflows, and daily guidance that maximize frontline performance.
Before AI entered the picture, the company, founded in 2013, already worked to elevate frontline performance by linking goals, coaching, and learning in one integrated employee experience platform. Rimon says the business leaders he works with are no longer choosing between reducing costs and supporting their teams. “Companies aren’t choosing between efficiency and employee growth anymore. They are trying to do both at once,” he explains.
What Does Hierarchy Look Like When the AI Becomes a Coworker?
We are mixing industries and functions (contact center) here. Maybe we can rewrite as:
Across cost-pressured industries, companies are applying AI in customer-service operations (both in-house contact centers and BPO our outsourced centers) to flatten layers, expand manager spans, and shift administrative work to automation.“We’re seeing frontline managerial spans grow because AI can automate analysis, QA, summaries, and admin,” Rimon says. “In some major financial services organizations, customers are increasing coaching activity 3x while cutting supervisor admin overhead by up to 70%, because AI does the prep work that used to eat up so much of their time.”
That shift forces leaders to rethink how work is designed. It also raises a question that organizations didn’t have to confront before: what does hierarchy look like when AI becomes a co-worker?
That tension is already emerging at the executive level. In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, Cisco Chief Information Officer Fletcher Previn said: “That will be an interesting frontier where we’ll work closely with HR and figure out, ‘Does [the previous] chain of command still make sense in an AI agent world?’” It’s a sign that AI isn’t simply automating tasks, it’s reshaping the very structure of how work flows.
Beyond structure, AI is changing how performance is defined and measured. Before AI, frontline teams were evaluated on volume, handle time, and adherence. Now, Rimon says, leaders are shifting to outcomes: “Did we solve the problem? Did we prevent escalation? Did we improve accuracy or customer satisfaction and retention? AI can enable predictive KPIs and real-time behavioral indicators that were impossible at scale just a few years ago.”
Exposure Does Not Automatically Equal displacement
And as companies adopt these new models, HR’s role is expanding. This deeper integration of HR and technology teams has already appeared in several industries. In 2024 and 2025, Amazon implemented automation across parts of its logistics, advertising operations, and AWS support. Some routine administrative roles were reduced, but many employees were redeployed, not eliminated, into roles supervising AI systems, handling exceptions, or managing escalations. Amazon’s restructuring demonstrated a core reality of modern automation: exposure does not automatically equal displacement.
“Companies aren’t choosing between efficiency and employee growth anymore. They are trying to do both at once.” Gal Rimon
Centrical
A separate Fortune report on Amazon’s restructuring noted that AI is reshaping the need for middle management. As one executive explained, the company is working to “reduce bureaucracy” as AI takes on tasks that once required multiple layers of oversight, prompting Amazon to rethink which managerial functions remain essential.
Rimon sees this across many organizations: “Automation takes the easy interactions and humans are left with the hardest ones. That shift creates a talent gap in empathy, judgment, and adaptability. If you shrink without upskilling, complexity overwhelms the remaining workforce and performance drops.”
The companies that manage this transition successfully invest in capability alongside automation. “Our customers that pair AI automation with on-the-job upskilling and supervisor readiness programs see 50% faster onboarding and skill ramp-up, with better retention because people are prepared for what AI can’t do.”
One of the strongest examples comes from Deutsche Telekom, which used Centrical’s platform to support thousands of independent sellers across 900 shops. The core challenge wasn’t performance, it was the inability to communicate with a highly dispersed frontline workforce. Until then, everything flowed through shop managers, making consistent training, upskilling, and alignment nearly impossible. With unified communication, structured learning paths, and real-time recognition, engagement surged to 89% satisfaction and sales rose by 10–20% across several product lines. It’s a clear example of how technology can strengthen connection and capability when deployed thoughtfully.
Rimon’s view is that the next phase of AI adoption won’t replace frontline teams but will pair them with AI agents in a hybrid model. Across customer service and back-office operations in large enterprises, especially in finance, telecom and trava.
AI is beginning to handle coordination and routine analysis while employees focus on higher-value work. Much of the real efficiency comes from streamlining managerial workflows, not eliminating roles. Early adopters, Rimon shares, are already building these models, using integrated performance and training systems that allow frontline teams to operate alongside AI agents more productively and with greater insight.
Still, the risks are real. As AI becomes more integrated into workflows, some companies are applying it mainly for monitoring. Rimon calls this “algorithmic burnout.”
“AI can absolutely drive performance measurement, but if it’s used mainly for surveillance, it backfires. The industry is already seeing ‘algorithmic burnout,’ where constant real-time scoring increases stress and distrust.”
That’s why many business leaders are reframing AI not as a replacement, but as a partner.
Netskope Chief Digital & Information Officer Mike Anderson was quoted saying: “What we’re trying to help people understand is that [an AI agent] is a co-worker that’s going to help you be more productive, not someone who’s going to replace you.”
Make the Transition Feel Like a Bridge, Not a Cliff
With the landscape changing so quickly, business leaders need a clearer roadmap. Rimon offers three practical recommendations:
1- “Start with the outcome, then redesign work around humans+AI. Don’t automate randomly. Decide what customer and business outcomes matter, then allocate tasks between AI and humans accordingly.”
2- “Invest in ‘human-centered AI’ alongside automation. If AI removes the routine, humans need support to master the complex. Pair automation within the flow of work learning, coaching, and mobility.”
3- “Don’t underestimate change management. AI-first transformation is cultural and operational. Leaders have to bring people along, build trust, and make the transition feel like a bridge,not a cliff.”
AI is capable of performing a significant share of today’s work, but the future may depend on whether employers choose elimination or elevation.
The early evidence suggests AI can reduce costs and improve outcomes without destroying careers, if companies redesign work intentionally and invest in people.
The future of work won’t be defined by a wave of mass unemployment. It will be defined by how business leaders choose to build the bridge between automation and human potential.
Pixel 10 on display in the Google Store (google.com)
(Screecap: Google.com)
Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines across the Android world, including Galaxy S26 Ultra certified, disappointing Pixel 10a details, Galaxy S26 Camera specs, Pixel 10 upgrade, Magic8 Pro launch, Gboard’s emoji update, Fortnite returns to the Google Play store.
Android Circuit is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Android in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Apple news here on Forbes.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Specs Confirmed By Samsung’s Paperwork
Over the years, Samsung has mixed and matched Galaxy S chipset suppliers, generally between the top-of-the-line Snapdragon and the home-grown Exynos chipsets. The community has been clear in the past that the slight advantage of the Snapdragon was a deciding factor… if they had a choice.
Recent documents submitted to the FCC by Samsung list the processors for both the US and international variants of the Galaxy S26 Ultra shipping with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5:
“In all of these models, we see a single chipset across all regions. This is mentioned as SM8850, which is the identifier for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, confirming that it powers Galaxy S26 Ultra variants meant for both the US and regions outside the US. However, this may not be a standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 but an overclocked “For Galaxy” variant, similar to ones we’ve seen on older Samsung flagships in the recent past.”
Familiar Specs For Pixel 10a
Staying with the specs front, Verizon has recently certified what looks to be the Pixel 10a, the budget-focused Pixel 10 model expected for a late Q1 launch. That certification lists the model with a 6.3 inch 120 Hz AMOLED display, a 48-megapixel main camera, a 13-megapixel ultrawide, and a 13-megapixel selfie camera. The specs are similar to this year’s Pixel 9a.
“These specs are the same as the Pixel 9a, and the listing also shares that the 10a will have a 5,100 mAh battery, which again is the same as the predecessor. Given the similarities in the certification, it’s unclear whether this is placeholder info taken from the last-gen smartphone.”
Galaxy S26’s Camera Details
More reusing last year’s model with details on the vanilla Galaxy S26 model. South Korean publication The Elec reports that the Galaxy S26 camera will reuse the Galaxy S25’s camera. The team at GSM Arena shine light on one potential reason for Samsung to forego a planned upgrade… the iPhone 17 success:
“Apple’s decision to upgrade the vanilla iPhone 17 to a 120Hz ProMotion LTPO OLED screen and 256GB base storage while retaining its $799 starting price influenced Samsung’s decision-making. This allegedly led Samsung to a last-minute choice to scrap the Galaxy S26’s camera upgrades so the device could match the $799 entry point.”
Pixel 10’s Quiet Performance Update
Google is rolling out the quarterly Android update to the Pixel range, and one of the big beneficiaries is the Pixel 10. While Google has not made a massive deal about it, the underlying changes have seen a boost in performance that is noticeable to many owners:
“It’s an interesting twist for a phone that launched with promising hardware but caught early criticism for GPU performance that lagged behind Snapdragon-powered rivals. Now, Google seems to be clawing back some of that ground with pure software optimization… The real surprise is in everyday use: PCMark Work 3.0 scores went up by nearly 20%, which suggests Google improved task scheduling in ways users will notice.”
https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/google-pixel/google-pixel-10-performance-reportedly-jumps-after-android-16-qpr2-update
Honor Magic8 Pro Arrives
Alongside MagicOS 10, Honor has launched its flagship Magic8 Pro smartphone. The company is pushing the AI used to enhance images with the new camera assembly, and the improvements to low-light photography with its 200-megapixel capture:
“During the product presentation, Honor showcased the Honor Magic8 Pro’s key features, including a live camera comparison. The device features a 200MP AI Ultra Night Telephoto camera designed to deliver clear results in long-distance and low-light situations. It also introduces an upgraded AI Ultra Night Portrait mode focused on accurate colors and balanced lighting.”
Gboard’s Emoji Update
Slowly rolling out across Android is Google’s refresh to GBoard, and a new way to navigate and use your emoji. The Material 3 Expressive redesign tweaks both the colour and the tab bar from early beta versions. Android Authority has more:
“While these changes are rolling out, not everyone will see them just yet, even if you check out the beta version. The redesign appears only on devices running Android 16, so users running Android 15 will have to wait a little longer to check out the new look. We’ll keep an eye on future versions to see when they expand more broadly.”
And Finally…
Just in time for the next season, Fortnite is back up in the Google Play Store. Previously, you needed to install the Epic Store on your phone and then download the app. Now that several legal cases and issues between Epic Games and Google have been resolved, the way is clear:
Almost six months after Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney confirmed the move following the landmark court decision, Fortnite is now back on the Google Play Store as the year draws to a close. Season 7 of the popular battle royale title begins today, which is likely a reason for the app returning to the Play Store in such a quiet fashion.
Android Circuit rounds up the news from the Android world every weekend here on Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any coverage in the future, and of course, read the sister column in Apple Loop! Last week’s Android Circuit can be found here, and if you have any news and links you’d like to see featured in Android Circuit, get in touch!
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 30: A MacBook Pro is displayed inside of the Apple Carnegie Library store on May 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines from across the Apple world, including iPhone 18 Pro leaks, iPhone Air loses value, iOS 26.2 ready to go, two important MacBooks for 2026, iPhone Fold impact, App Store verification issues, and new cross-platform transfer tools.
Apple Loop is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Apple in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Android news here on Forbes.
Eyes Front For the iPhone 18 Pro
Details on the display for the 2026 iPhone 18 Pro are emerging, with the dominant front-facing selfie camera under scrutiny. Apple is reportedly developing technology and design that will reduce the lens size and potentially place it under the display. Tim Hardwick picks out the key question around the iPhone 18 upgrade:
“There have been several rumors suggesting the iPhone 18 Pro models will include under-display Face ID, but some disagreement over whether we’ll see the technology in 2026. A May report by The Information claimed that iPhone 18 Pro models will have no Dynamic Island with just a pinhole cutout located at the upper left of the display, but other rumors suggest there’s still going to be a Dynamic Island.”
iPhone Air Sales And Falling Value
2025 has proven to be an interesting year for “thin phones.” At the same time as the physical technology found success either side of the hinge in a wide range of foldables, the fashionable and straightforward choice of “this phone is thin” has not taken off. Apple arrived late, and many expected the market to take off. Instead, after a first wave of excited buyers, sales fell first in the primary market, and now in the secondary market. Forbes contributor Janhoi McGregor looks at he current state of play:
“SellCell’s data shows that within 10 weeks of launch, the iPhone Air lost an average of 44.3% of its original retail price. The most affected is the 1TB version, which has dropped 47.7%. This is the steepest loss of value recorded by SellCell for any iPhone model since 2022.
“The other iPhone 17 models are faring better than the iPhone Air, with the range retaining 9.7% more of their value than the slim phone after 10 weeks. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the top performer across the new range, only losing 26.1% of its value in that time period.”
Apple Prepares Traditional Update
Apple is preparing the next significant update to iOS 26. Traditionally, the .2 release happens in December, just before the holidays each year. 2025 looks to be no different. The beta is already out in public for final checks and testing, so expect iOS 26.2 within the week:
“There are plenty of new features in iOS 26.2, from tweaks to the Liquid Glass effect on the lock screen to updates to Apple News, offline lyrics in Apple Music and live translation for AirPods in the European Union. Add to that refinements to the Passwords app, an alarm setting when an urgent Reminder is due, updates to Podcasts and the ability to choose a different voice assistant for users in Japan, and it becomes clear that there’s a lot going on.”
A Tale Of Two MacBooks
2026 looks likely to be bookended by two MacBooks. Opening up the year, will be the Value MacBook, a long rumoured cheaper MacBook that would see the main line of MacBooks drop under the totemic $999 barrier. These will likely be powered by Apple’s A-series chip, offering performance comparable to mid-range iPad Pro models.
The second is the M6 MacBook Pro, which will not only debut a new M-series chipset, but finally bring the display and connectivity technology of the MacOS laptop up to par with Windows, as Ryan Christoffel points out for 9to5Mac:
“It’s also rumored that Apple may offer a 5G cellular option with its forthcoming C2 in-house modem. Even if cellular support doesn’t prove true, adding touch alone will make the M6 MacBook Pro a significant turning point for the Mac. Apple has continuously shot down the idea of adding touch to the Mac. But the new MacBook Pro seems set to kickstart a new era for the platform.”
The Potential Impact Of The iPhone Fold
The foldables market has matured in 2025, with devices like the recently launched Galaxy Z TrFold and the commercial success of Honor’s Magic V5 dominating headlines. Yet the industry is waiting for Apple to swoop in next year with the iPhone Fold, capture a significant market share, and redefine the space.
While the iPhone Air might have damaged the idea that Apple can make a difference when arriving late, the latest report on Foldables from IDC makes the case that the foldables market is ready for Apple, even at a stunningly high retail price:
“But the real game-changer for the category comes at year-end when Apple enters the foldable space, projected to capture over 22% unit share and a staggering 34% of the foldables market value in its first year, thanks to an expected average price point of $2,400.”
Tim Cook’s App Store Verification Issues
Tim Cook has raised Apple’s concerns with US lawmakers over the App Store Accountability Act (S.1586). Bloomberg reports that one of Apple’s key issues is a law requiring app store operators to be responsible for users’ age verification.
During a closed-door meeting with members of the committee, Cook urged lawmakers not to require app store operators to check documentation of users’ ages and instead rely on parents to provide the age of their child when creating a child’s account, according to a statement from Apple. The company described Cook’s argument as one founded on privacy concerns.”
And Finally…
iOS and Android are making it easier to move between the two platforms, with features being introduced to aid the process. These are not available immediately; instead, the updates are working through the various beta releases and rollouts across multiple devices:
“Apple and Google say the new upgraded experience is starting to roll out today with a new Android Canary build for Pixel devices. The features will also be available in an upcoming iOS 26 developer beta. The experience will continue to improve throughout the beta testing process on both platforms, including with support for more data types.”
Apple Loop brings you seven days worth of highlights every weekend here on Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any coverage in the future. Last week’s Apple Loop can be read here, or this week’s edition of Loop’s sister column, Android Circuit, is also available on Forbes.
Qualcomm announced two chips on Dec. 11 aimed at the mid‑range and entry‑level phone markets: the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 and the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4. Qualcomm told Android Central in a press release that it is launching both chips this week for affordable phones.
Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2
Qualcomm said the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 uses Kryo CPU cores and an Adreno GPU to improve multitasking and visuals in lower‑level phones. The CPU reaches speeds up to 2.9GHz, and Qualcomm said the GPU sees a 20% increase in graphical performance. Qualcomm also stated the chip supports 120fps and can enable low‑lag performance on FHD Plus display phones.
Qualcomm positioned photography as another focus for the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2. The chip supports cameras up to 108MP for improved detail, according to the company. Qualcomm also said users will get “concurrent multi‑photo and video” features, meaning the phone can shoot using all three cameras at the same time.
Qualcomm said the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 also supports voice assistance through AI software for quicker response times. The company added that it improved microphone capabilities and echo cancellation so voices stay clear in video and recordings remain crisp and undistorted.
Snapdragon 4 Gen 4
Qualcomm said the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 follows similar hallmarks to the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2, using Kryo CPU cores and an Adreno GPU. The CPU peaks at 2.3GHz. Qualcomm highlighted smooth graphics with 120fps support for phones with FHD Plus screens.
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 supports cameras up to 108MP and includes the same concurrent camera capture feature, according to Qualcomm. The company also emphasized “hardware‑based multi‑frame noise reduction,” which it said can reduce grain in photos.
Qualcomm framed battery as a major focus for the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4. Using Quick Charge 4 Plus, Qualcomm said the chip can take a phone from 0% to 50% in about 15 minutes. The company also noted that “swift 5G and Wi‑Fi” are part of the package.
Positioning in Qualcomm’s roadmap
Qualcomm said both the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 and the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 are part of its mobile roadmap, targeting mid‑range and entry‑level phones.
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