Recent headlines have created a lot of fear about Artificial Intelligence (AI). According to Meriam-Webster dictionary, “Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science dedicated to creating systems capable of performing complex tasks that typically require human intelligence. These systems use data to learn, reason, solve problems, perceive environments, and understand language, often automating tasks to improve efficiency and accuracy.”

The first usable, public ChatGPT product was released by OpenAI on November 30, 2022. Since then, there have been major competitors such as Gemini by Google; Claude; Microsoft 365 Copilot; and Grok developed by xAI and launched by Elon Musk in November 2023.

Recent news: “Big Tech companies are continuing massive layoffs in early 2026, with over 217,000 job cuts announced in the U.S. during the first quarter alone, driven by AI investments and restructuring. Key companies like Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and Oracle have cut thousands of jobs to shift resources toward AI infrastructure, often re-engineering teams to reduce management layers.

Key Recent Layoffs (As of April 2026)

• Amazon: Cut at least 30,000 corporate/tech jobs since October 2025, with ongoing smaller, rolling cuts.
• Meta: Announced 8,000 new layoffs in late April, plus a freeze on 6,000 positions, citing a desire for increased efficiency.
• Microsoft: Initiated plans for up to 8,750 voluntary buyouts and restructuring, particularly focusing on reducing long-serving employee headcount.
• Oracle: Conducted roughly 30,000 layoffs in March 2026 as part of a major cost-cutting effort.
• Many others”

Many large companies want to use AI to automate any task that is repetitive, whether it be inquiries from potential customers; junior lawyers sifting through dozens of legal cases as research for the senior partners; or basic computer coding. An analogy would be the use of robots on auto assembly lines that can do repetitive, often boring tasks more efficiently than live humans who get tired.

Part of the justification for these layoffs is the need for massive spending by large tech companies. Major U.S. tech firms are engaged in an unprecedented investment surge in Artificial Intelligence, with combined capital expenditures from the top "hyperscalers" (Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta, and Amazon) projected to exceed $650 billion to $700 billion in 2026 alone. This investment is largely directed toward building data centers, purchasing advanced AI chips (primarily from Nvidia), and developing infrastructure for Generative AI.”

So, is there a class or type of worker that will benefit by this massive investment in data centers to power Artificial Intelligence applications? The boom in data center construction is generating an unprecedented surge in demand for labor, with projections indicating that hundreds of thousands of new construction jobs are being created, driven by AI infrastructure needs.

• Massive Job Projections: Industry reports indicate that the rapid expansion of AI-powered data centers could support up to 1.3 million jobs in the U.S. by 2032 across various sectors, including a significant portion in construction.
• Active Project Demand: One report estimates that the construction of 2,788 new data centers could generate roughly 4.7 million temporary construction jobs over the coming years.

AI is today’s major technology innovation, much like the internet and websites were 30 years ago. Here are some practical steps to benefit from the AI revolution:

1. Learn AI by taking courses. I never used AI until two months ago when I took a brand-new course “Artificial Intelligence for Business” offered by the Chandler-Gilbert Community College.
2. Choose a profession where AI can’t easily replace you. Examples would be anything in the trades (electrician, HVAC, plumbing, auto repair ..) or healthcare (nurse, X-ray technician, physical therapist). These require a true “personal touch”.

To RSVP for future seminars or schedule a free consultation, please contact Dr. Harold Wong at (480) 706-0177 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. His website is www.drharoldwong.com.

Dr. Wong earned his PhD in Economics at UC Berkeley in 1974 and passed the National CPA exam in 1979. He has appeared on over 400 TV/Radio programs.