Artificial intelligence is changing the way work looks in the United States. While many routine office jobs could disappear, roles in construction, electrical work, plumbing, and other hands-on trades are seeing higher demand. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says this surge comes from the massive buildout of AI infrastructure, including data centers, chip factories, and server facilities.
“This is the largest infrastructure effort we’ve ever seen,” Huang told BlackRock CEO Laurence Fink at the World Economic Forum 2026. “We need electricians, construction crews, steel workers, and technicians to install and maintain this equipment. Salaries are rising fast—some positions are paying six figures.”
Uneven Impact for White-Collar Workers
Not all sectors benefit equally. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has warned that automation could eliminate as many as half of entry-level office jobs. AI tools, particularly those designed for coding or data analysis, are increasingly capable of tasks once done by junior staff. Even more experienced professionals could feel the impact over time.
AI Boosts Specialized Professions
Some careers are expanding because AI complements human work. Huang points to radiologists as an example. AI can quickly process medical scans, allowing doctors to spend more time with patients and focus on complex decision-making. Hospitals can serve more patients without replacing the human staff, demonstrating how AI can enhance rather than replace certain roles.
A Transformative Technology
Overall, AI is expected to reshape the labor market, creating opportunities in some sectors while displacing others. Huang compares AI’s effect to transformative technologies of the past, from electricity to computers, but happening much faster. Workers who combine human skills with AI tools may find the most opportunities as industries adapt.
