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From McKinsey research projects AI could automate half of U.S. work hours

How could the detailed analysis of AI's impact on work affect Ernst & Young?

Possible What happens if… A possibility worth considering, not a forecast.

AI-driven labor shifts could increase demand for professional services from Ernst & Young. The research from the McKinsey Global Institute, now part of McKinsey, details significant labor market transformations driven by AI, including the potential automation of over half of U.S. work hours over the next decade. These complex shifts necessitate external expert guidance, increasing the demand for professional services from firms like Ernst & Young to help clients navigate workforce redesign, skill gaps, and operational efficiency.

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How it reaches Ernst & Young

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The facts so far

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  • AI could automate more than half of U.S. work hours over the next decade.fortune.com
  • The report estimates labor demand could reduce by 36 million jobs and create demand for 41 million jobs over the next decade.fortune.com
  • About 85% of growing employment requires a credential or certification.fortune.com
  • Only 16% of CEOs surveyed have clear, real-time visibility into AI ROI.fortune.com

Why it matters

For Ernst & Young, the detailed analysis of AI's impact validates the need for advanced consulting services. As businesses grapple with massive labor market changes, skills shortages, and the difficulty of translating AI productivity gains into bottom-line growth, the demand for expert advice on workforce planning and operational redesign increases.

This trend is part of a wider global shift where technology is fundamentally reshaping professional services. The reports note that even in fields like management and law, AI is more likely to help people do their jobs than replace them outright, creating new responsibilities that require training and strategic oversight.

What we don't know yet

  • How quickly will companies begin to reinvest productivity gains into workforce development?
  • Will the need for credentials become a more significant barrier to growth than skills shortages?

What would change this answer

Companies widely adopt MGI's recommendations to track internal employee movement into new rolesThis would increase the complexity of workforce management, likely boosting the demand for specialized consulting services.
The rate of AI-related job creation falls significantly below the rate of job displacementThe pressure on companies to manage large-scale workforce reductions would intensify, requiring more intensive consulting support.

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Brind's analysis is written by AI from the reporting linked above and can be wrong. This explainer is a possibility worth considering, not a forecast: steps marked as Brind's reasoning are not stated in the reporting. It is not investment advice; do your own research.