Three questions to ask when someone tells you what AI is doing to jobs

Most of what you hear about AI and jobs comes from someone confident. A guest on the news, a speaker at a conference, a manager explaining a restructure. Three questions sort the evidence from the feeling, and none of them is rude.

What is the number, and when is it from?

A claim about jobs should come with a figure and a date. "AI hasn't affected jobs as people thought" and "graduates are being hit now" are both claims about numbers. If nobody can say which number, you are hearing an opinion. It may still be a good one. Treat it as one.

Who is being counted?

A figure about "workers" or "small business" can mean very different groups. Ask which ages, which industries and which size of firm. A fall in jobs for people aged 25 to 34 can mean fewer jobs or simply fewer people that age. The tax records alone cannot yet tell which.

Has anyone shown the working?

The water answer on Sky this week held up because the arithmetic had been published and anyone could check it. When your employer says AI will save time or cut costs, it is fair to ask how that was worked out and whether you can see it. If the answer is a vendor's own figure, you know where it came from.

None of this means doubting everything. It means knowing which claims have earned your trust.

The Quernal provides general information, not legal or financial advice.