Zuckerberg predicts AI will spur new jobs while warning of short-term disruption

Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg argued that artificial intelligence will generate a wave of new careers rather than eliminate most jobs. In an essay posted on Meta’s website, he said the belief that AI will make humanity irrelevant is flawed and that history shows new technologies tend to create occupations that did not exist a decade ago, such as app developers and electric-vehicle technicians.

Zuckerberg outlined potential future roles, including one-person-studio designers, virtual-world builders and personal biologists who develop individualized treatments. He cautioned that if automation outpaces workers’ ability to acquire new skills, society could face a "difficult period" of displacement, especially for those lacking training in skilled trades like carpentry and electrical work.

To address the gap, Meta has invested $115 million in the U.S. Workforce Academy, a five-week, tuition-free program that trains participants for data-center technician positions and guarantees employment at Meta facilities. Zuckerberg also criticized higher education for leaving graduates with debt and insufficient job preparation, suggesting a shift toward alternative learning models.

He envisioned a future where AI-driven personalized tutors and superintelligent learning assistants provide unlimited, affordable education for students and adults alike, helping them acquire new job skills, languages or hobbies.