AI triggers a white-collar exodus to trades and care jobs
Rising AI use and post-2024 layoffs are pushing writers, editors and other professionals to retrain for hands-on and service roles, often at lower pay and personal cost.
- Since 2024, AI adoption and industry cuts have reduced demand and pay for many writing, editing and clerical roles.
- Workers are retraining into trades, hospitality and care jobs they see as more resistant to automation.
- Editors and writers report AI-generated content frequently contains fabricated facts, increasing fact-checking time and lowering fees.
- Vocational colleges report growing enrolment from people of all ages, including graduates seeking practical skills.
- Experts say AI will reshape many sectors but the timing and scale of job losses are uneven and uncertain.
- Career switches often bring lower pay, physical strain and reliance on personal support or loans during retraining.