Artificial intelligence is coming fast—and it’s not all rosy. According to Dario Amodei, CEO of AI company Anthropic, the rapid advancement of AI could eliminate up to 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs in the next five years. That’s a massive shift that could push unemployment as high as 20%, he warned in a recent interview reported by LinkedIn News.

While those numbers are stark, they also serve as a wake-up call. Especially for entrepreneurs and small business owners, the future of AI isn’t just a threat—it’s an open door.

Related – How is AI Powering the Next Wave of Small Business Success – Salesforce Report

The Warning from Anthropic’s Chief

Dario Amodei isn’t an alarmist. He’s one of the people building the future. As CEO of Anthropic, the company behind Claude (a competitor to ChatGPT), Amodei is immersed in the day-to-day development of artificial intelligence tools. So when he says AI will likely lead to significant job loss, especially among entry-level knowledge workers, it’s worth listening.

“People need to be clear-eyed about this,” Amodei said, urging governments and companies to communicate openly about the coming disruptions. He also called for systems that help workers adapt and transition into new roles.

And here’s the kicker—this isn’t decades away. Amodei puts the timeline at just five years.

AI Will Kill Jobs—But That’s Not the Whole Story

We’ve been here before.

The combustion engine disrupted horse-drawn carriages. The fax machine made postal deliveries look outdated. BlackBerry was once the pinnacle of mobile productivity—until apps revolutionized the smartphone. Each time, we saw job losses in one area, but we also saw the rise of entire new industries.

That’s the lens small business owners and entrepreneurs must use now.

Yes, AI will replace repetitive, predictable tasks. It’s already generating legal summaries, automating customer service, and analyzing complex datasets in seconds. But it’s also unlocking new efficiencies, new markets, and new ways to serve customers.

The Opportunity for Entrepreneurs

Every disruption creates a gap—and in that gap lies opportunity.

Here’s how entrepreneurs can see the upside:

• Be a problem-solver: As AI reshapes industries, people and companies will need guidance. Become the bridge that helps them adapt.
• Build AI-powered solutions: From marketing automation to virtual assistants, there’s a surge in demand for tools that save time and improve results.
• Teach what you know: If you’re adapting to AI in your business, package that knowledge. Courses, workshops, and consulting are booming areas.
• Double down on what humans do best: Creativity, empathy, leadership—these aren’t going out of style. In fact, they’ll be more valuable than ever.

Related – How To Turn Your Zone of Genius into a Thriving Business(Opens in a new browser tab)

This Is a Moment of Reinvention

The future won’t belong to those who resist change. It will belong to those who learn to use change.

Amodei’s comments are a reminder to get serious. If you’re an entrepreneur, this is not the time to hide from AI. It’s time to explore how it can help you grow, scale, and serve on a bigger level.

While some jobs will disappear, others will be born. The entrepreneurs who step up now—who learn the tools, pivot quickly, and stay focused on impact—will be the ones leading the next generation of innovation.

Final Thought: What’s Your Zone of Genius in an AI World?

At ZoneofGenius.com, we believe every entrepreneur has a unique skill set, a way of thinking that gives them an edge.

AI doesn’t replace that. In fact, it may help you discover it faster.

So the real question isn’t “Will AI take my job?”
It’s “How will I use AI to make an even greater impact in my zone of genius?”

Now’s the time to find out.