He cited radiology, where AI makes scan reading cheaper while employment and salaries for radiologists are rising rather than falling.
Slok argued productivity gains from artificial intelligence will probably create more jobs than they destroy, echoing the beneficial side of China’s entry into the World Trade Organization.
Is the AI boom's environmental damage a hidden tax on its promised economic benefits?
Could China's cheaper, open-source AI trigger a more disruptive 'China Shock 2.0'?
Why are companies failing to see AI returns while workers resist its adoption?
Navigating AI-Driven Labor Market Transformation: Growth, Disruption, and the Future of Work
Overview
Torsten Slok’s 2025-2026 thesis applies the Jevons Paradox to AI, showing that AI tools lower costs and speed up professional services, making them more affordable and driving higher demand. This demand growth leads to net job creation and a decline in youth unemployment, partly due to an AI-enabled entrepreneurial boom. However, AI also restructures the labor market by reducing traditional entry-level roles, causing firms to hire fewer juniors but more experienced professionals. This shift creates uneven benefits, favoring established workers and entrepreneurs while challenging new entrants. To adapt, workers must develop human-centric skills, but reskilling faces challenges. Systemic reforms in education, corporate practices, and social safety nets are essential to ensure AI’s gains are broadly shared.