Amid the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), a forecast has emerged that up to 11 million American workers may need to change their jobs by 2035.

According to Bloomberg on the 29th (local time), global consulting firm McKinsey released a report stating that AI development will bring not only job reductions but also the difficult challenge of career transitions.

The report estimated that about 7% of the current U.S. workforce, or 11 million people, may need to switch occupations by 2035 due to the impact of AI.

If this projection holds true, the number of workers changing jobs in the U.S., which stands at around 215,000 annually, will nearly triple by 2035.

Even considering hard-to-predict variables such as the speed of corporate AI adoption and an aging population, the report added that between 6 million and 16 million workers will need to change jobs.

The authors of the report expressed concern, stating, "(Due to the impact of AI), job opportunities may become abundant, but if different skills, certifications, workplaces, and wage systems are required, millions of workers will lose their jobs."

The three job categories identified as having a high likelihood of requiring career changes are office and administrative support, retail and sales, and transportation and logistics.

These categories include customer service representatives, cashiers, and warehouse workers.

In particular, low-wage workers are estimated to be eight times more likely to need a job change than high-wage workers.

The report pointed out that federal and local governments, among other authorities, must play a role in helping workers prepare for career transitions.

It emphasized that authorities should provide more specific and timely labor market information to workers facing job changes and support retraining funds.

Tanguy Catlin, a partner at the McKinsey Global Institute and one of the report's authors, said, "Education systems have historically evolved mostly for the younger demographic. However, we now need to continuously upskill the existing workforce that requires career transitions. This is the issue we want to bring to the public discussion."

(Photo: Yonhap News)