Disrupted: What AI Means for Workers, Wages, and the World

A storm is sweeping across the global job market — and it’s made of code. In this episode of Thread by Thread, we dive into the unsettling rise of artificial intelligence and what it really means for the future of work. From warehouse robots to generative models writing ad copy, the line between human and machine labor is blurring fast.

I once wrote about the future of work before ChatGPT existed — and now, much of what seemed speculative back then is unfolding in real time. In Segment 1, we trace the economic shockwaves: mass layoffs, vanishing middle-skill jobs, and a world where having a degree may no longer protect your paycheck. Then we scale up in Segment 2 — where AI isn’t just an economic force, but a geopolitical weapon. Who’s winning the AI arms race? Why are some countries pulling ahead while others get left behind?