Episode Details

Companies aren't replacing workers with AI. They're replacing expensive workers with cheaper workers who can operate AI. Fire the senior engineer at $200K, hire two juniors at $95K each who use Codex to do 70% of the work. That's not digital transformation — that's cost arbitrage.

Malcolm and Thomas break down the real way AI is reshaping the workforce — not the headline version. They talk about what displacement actually looks like, why "learn AI" is incomplete advice, and what continuous learning really means when the tools change every six months.

⏱️  Timestamps:

00:00 — The Impact of AI on Jobs and the Workforce

📊 Key stats from this episode:

• 56,000+ tech workers laid off in 2026 — AI cited in 12,000+ US job cuts

• 20% of 2026 tech layoffs are directly attributed to AI and automation

• Block (Jack Dorsey) cut 4,000 employees — said AI can now do those tasks

• Amazon cut 16,000 — the largest single layoff of 2026       • AI Engineer starting salary: $130,548 vs. Finance: $84,387

• Sam Altman called tech layoffs "AI-washing" — companies using AI as cover for pandemic over-hiring cuts

• OpenAI's Codex can now autonomously write code, browse the web, and analyze data without you

• The person who makes 10 people more productive is the last one cut — stop just using AI and start building workflows

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📦 Black Box Theory breaks down tech, investing, and corporate culture for early-career professionals. New episodes every week.

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