Why your job may face a double threat if the economy sours

(Illustration by The Washington Post; iStock)

By Danielle Abril

Hardly a day passes without word that a major company is increasing use of artificial intelligence or a warning that AI will have dramatic impacts — one day — on the U.S. workforce.

Now, some economists warn that a projected slowdown in the U.S. economy could accelerate the trend.

With new reports suggesting that the U.S. economy will probably slow this year, economists and AI experts say more businesses may speed up AI use to cut costs, generate revenue and boost worker productivity. That could lead to more rapid adoption but also downsides, including job losses and consumer harms.