Ford CEO Warns AI Will Displace White-Collar Jobs
Ford CEO Jim Farley has raised concerns about the disruptive effects of artificial intelligence on white-collar workers. He urges a renewed focus on trade education as skepticism grows over the value of a traditional college degree.
Impact of AI on the Workforce
In conversations with other industry leaders over the past year, many have highlighted the risk of AI causing significant job displacement and reshaping the employment landscape. Farley emphasized that AI and new technologies have an uneven effect on the economy.
"I believe that AI and new technologies have an asymmetric impact on our economy—a lot of things are helped a lot and a lot of things are hurt," said Farley in a June 2025 interview with journalist Walter Isaacson at the Aspen Ideas Festival.
He added, "When you look at these openings in our economy, it's very clear that the technology we’ve seen has left a lot of people behind. AI will leave a lot of white collar people behind."
Call for a Shift to Trade Education
When asked about how education should adapt to these changes, Farley stressed the importance of returning to the fundamentals of trade schools.
"We need to go back to the basics, to trade schools, and we need a society that doesn’t look down on people like that," Farley stated.
Trade schools provide practical skills for careers such as welding, plumbing, carpentry, and cosmetology. These programs tend to be more affordable, shorter, and focus more on hands-on learning than traditional four-year colleges.
Summary
Jim Farley highlights AI's threat to white-collar jobs and advocates for elevating trade education as a practical and respected alternative to college degrees.
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