Mo Gawdat, ex–Google X executive, predicts up to 15 years of disruption as AI replaces professionals and widens inequality.

Mo Gawdat—formerly Chief Business Officer at Google X—is sounding a stark alarm: artificial intelligence (AI) could dismantle white-collar work and effectively erase the middle class within the next two years. In a recent interview, he warned that AI’s rapid progress will lead to widespread job losses by 2027, followed by as many as 15 years of social and economic upheaval.

A Grim Timeline Ahead

Gawdat framed his forecast in two phases. Initially, AI will augment jobs and increase efficiency. But that will transition quickly into full automation of complex roles—from developers and analysts to journalists and even CEOs. He famously asserted, “AGI is going to get better at everything than humans … even CEOs.”

He describes the period from 2027 to 2042 as “hell before we get to heaven,” as AI replaces jobs faster than workers can adapt.

The Middle Class at Risk

Gawdat’s prediction extends beyond employment: he believes AI will create a new social hierarchy in which anyone outside the top 0.1% loses economic relevance. “Unless you’re in the top 0.1%, you're a peasant. There is no middle class,” he said. He further warned of mental health fallout, community breakdown, and rising loneliness as livelihoods vanish.

A Real‑World Example

Drawing on personal experience, Gawdat highlighted how his AI startup—Emma.love—runs with just three people, replacing a workforce of several hundred developers that would have been required earlier. He used this example to underline how AI drastically reduces labor needs.

Voices on Both Sides

Gawdat’s perspective diverges sharply from other industry voices. For instance, some technologists argue AI will amplify human creativity rather than replace labor, viewing “prompting” as a new, higher-order skill.

Meanwhile, AI pioneers and other leaders echo Gawdat’s anxiety. Several experts estimate that half of entry-level white-collar roles may vanish within five years unless intervention measures are adopted.

The Stakes Are Systemic

Gawdat argues that the real challenge isn’t just jobs—it’s power. Without safeguards, AI could consolidate wealth and control in the hands of a small elite. He sees solutions in Universal Basic Income, equitable access, and embedding moral values into AI systems.

He believes that if societies fail to adapt digitally and socially, this phase of disruption could erode social cohesion.

Preparing for a Transformation

In contrast to the doomsday framing, some experts emphasize AI’s long runway. Surveys of AI researchers suggest that full automation of all jobs is likely decades away. Prior to catastrophic change, technological and regulatory barriers may provide time for adaptation.

Gawdat acknowledges this, but insists we are nearing a point where automation will upend knowledge-heavy professions irreversibly.