Former Google X chief business officer Mo Gawdat has dismissed claims that artificial intelligence will generate new employment opportunities, calling the notion "100% crap" and warning that even top executives face displacement as AI systems become more sophisticated. Speaking on the "Diary of a CEO" podcast, Mo Gawdat predicted that artificial general intelligence will eventually outperform humans "at everything, including being a CEO." The tech veteran used his own AI startup Emma.love as evidence—a project built by just three people that would have previously required 350 developers.

White-collar workers face the biggest job displacement threat

Mo Gawdat's stark assessment challenges optimistic predictions from tech leaders who envision AI as a job creator rather than destroyer. The former Google executive specifically targeted roles traditionally considered safe from automation, including podcasters, video editors, and C-suite positions.

"CEOs are celebrating that they can now get rid of people and have productivity gains and cost reductions because AI can do that job," Gawdat explained during the podcast interview. "The one thing they don't think of is AI will replace them too." His warnings align with recent corporate trends, as companies like Duolingo, Workday, and Klarna have already begun significant workforce reductions or hiring freezes in favor of AI-powered alternatives.

Industry’s divided on AI's economic impact and future regulation

While Gawdat presents a dystopian outlook, other industry leaders offer more measured perspectives. Billionaires Mark Cuban and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang argue that learning AI skills alongside strengthening soft skills will create competitive advantages for workers. The World Economic Forum's 2025 Future of Jobs report supports this nuanced view, noting that while 41% of employers globally plan workforce downsizing due to AI, 77% intend to upskill current employees to work alongside artificial intelligence systems.

Despite his dire predictions, Gawdat doesn't oppose AI development itself. Instead, he criticizes the capitalist framework driving its implementation, arguing that profit-focused deployment ignores ethical considerations. He advocates for potential universal basic income systems and warns against allowing "stupid leaders" to control increasingly powerful AI systems.

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