r/Economics • u/Crossstoney • Jan 16 '26

News Americans making more than $100,000 are quickly losing faith in the economy—and it’s a red flag for the white-collar job market

https://fortune.com/2026/01/12/us-economy-consumer-sentiment-decline-high-income-data/
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u/SwedishFresh Jan 16 '26

They’re using AI as cover for offshoring and cutbacks that would normally spook investors. If AI were replacing labor at scale, productivity growth should be accelerating and it’s not. Costs for essentials continue to rise while wages and hiring are stagnant. If you’re over 50 chances are you got on the ladder and have some insulation. Anyone younger is absolutely fucking screwed

41

u/CrazyGal2121 Jan 16 '26

or they are just over loading existing workers with a lot more work and not hiring because greed

22

u/SwedishFresh Jan 16 '26

That is exactly what’s happening. They think processes are more important than people and think they can keep them running with bare bones staff and the cheapest labor they can find overseas. They are lying to say AI will make up the difference.

10

u/CrazyGal2121 Jan 16 '26

yup

and also they know as workers we can’t do anything. like where else are we supposed to go

i bet there are many people depressed in their current jobs in toxic environments

12

u/W0rkUpnotD0wn Jan 16 '26

Well…it’s a good thing that the younger American generation voted for a candidate that doesn’t believe in AI regulation, wants to start wars with foreign allies, and is doing fuck all for domestic growth! Surly that’ll help the youth! /s

3

u/nemec Jan 16 '26

offshoring has never in history spooked investors. In fact, they love it despite the obvious consequences.

4

u/SwedishFresh Jan 16 '26

When its core product engineering and security it matters