Concerns about artificial intelligence replacing human workers have largely focused on younger professionals entering the job market. However, new research suggests that experienced employees may also face significant challenges as AI transforms the workplace.

A recent paper published by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College found that workers aged 55 and older in occupations highly exposed to AI are leaving their jobs at higher-than-normal rates. The trend reflects a combination of involuntary job losses, layoffs, voluntary resignations, and earlier retirements.

Three Ways AI Could Reshape Late-Career Employment

According to economist Geoffrey Sanzenbacher, AI could influence the careers of older workers through three distinct pathways.

The first is direct job displacement, where advanced automation replaces certain roles, potentially forcing experienced employees into unemployment or early retirement.

The second involves the growing pressure to adopt increasingly sophisticated digital tools. Some workers may choose to transition into roles that require fewer technological skills or retire earlier rather than adapt to rapidly changing workplace technologies.

The third—and more optimistic—scenario suggests that generative AI can increase the productivity of experienced professionals by automating routine tasks, allowing them to focus on strategic decision-making, leadership, and creative work while potentially extending their careers.

High-Income Knowledge Workers Face Greater Exposure

The study analyzed population surveys alongside AI exposure indicators developed by Digital Planet, a research initiative at Tufts University.

Researchers found that employees with university degrees and higher incomes are among those most exposed to AI-driven disruption, particularly in fields such as:

User interface (UI) design
Web development
Database engineering
Software programming
Data science

By contrast, physically demanding occupations—including construction, mining, painting, and fiberglass installation—remain significantly less vulnerable to AI automation.

The findings challenge the traditional assumption that physically demanding jobs naturally lead to earlier retirement than office-based careers. Researchers suggest AI could narrow that historical gap by increasing retirement pressure on white-collar professionals.

Retirement Policy Challenges

The report argues that policymakers should consider AI's impact on employment when evaluating future retirement reforms.

The issue is particularly relevant in the United States, where current projections indicate that the Social Security Trust Fund could face funding shortfalls by the early 2030s.

Potential policy responses may include gradually increasing the retirement age or raising taxes on higher-income earners.

Sanzenbacher noted that higher-income workers could also experience reductions in future Social Security benefits, increasing the need to remain employed longer—even as AI-related workplace disruption makes that more difficult.

Soft Skills Could Become a Competitive Advantage

Despite these challenges, human resources experts believe experienced professionals still have significant advantages in an AI-powered workplace.

Many employees over the age of 50 view artificial intelligence as both a threat and an opportunity, according to workforce surveys.

Because senior professionals often perform roles that depend on capabilities AI cannot easily replicate—such as leadership, judgment, negotiation, coordination, mentoring, and relationship building—they remain valuable to employers.

Experts recommend a dual strategy for experienced workers:

Learn the AI tools already used within their organizations to automate repetitive tasks and improve productivity.
Emphasize uniquely human skills such as critical thinking, leadership, communication, emotional intelligence, and decision-making.

The Bottom Line

The research suggests that AI is reshaping career paths not only for younger workers but also for experienced professionals approaching retirement.

While automation may accelerate workforce transitions in some sectors, older employees who combine their experience with digital literacy and AI skills are likely to be better positioned to remain competitive and extend their careers in an increasingly technology-driven economy.