AI and the Labor Market: Between Disruption and Real Economic Impacts

The article“AI causes strong disruption in work, but little increase in the economy”, published in the newspaperFolha de S.Paulo in October 12, 2025 (p. A17), written byAlvaro Machado Dias— neuroscientist, professor at the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp) and partner at Instituto Locomotiva and WeMind — presents a critical analysis of the macroeconomic and social effects of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the labor market and global economic growth.

The author highlights that AI has profoundly transformed work dynamics, marked by the automation of routine activities, the reduction of traditional jobs, and the creation of new roles that require high qualifications. Although this disruption is significant from a social and organizational perspective, it has not yet translated into significant economic growth. According to Dias, the productivity and efficiency gains brought about by AI remain modest at the macroeconomic level, which indicates that technological adoption is still in an early stage of diffusion.

In his analysis, Dias describes technological propagation in three stages:

1. An initial phase of slow implementation, concentrated in pioneering sectors;
2. A period of acceleration, in which innovation spreads and its effects become more visible;
3. A saturation stage, when economic gains stabilize.

The current moment, according to the author, is situated between the first and second phases, which explains the mismatch between the disruptive impact on employment and global economic results.

Dias emphasizes that AI must be understood as a structural force for productive transformation, not as a cyclical phenomenon capable of generating immediate growth. Technology redefines business models, alters occupational profiles, and demands the reconfiguration of public policies—especially in the field of education (teacher training with digital technologies) and professional qualifications in a broad sense.

The author argues that governments and companies must develop strategies to reduce inequalities resulting from automation and ensure an inclusive transition to the new technological paradigm.

In summary, the analysis concludes that, although Artificial Intelligence is causing profound disruption in the world of work, its economic effects are still limited. The contemporary challenge is to align technological innovation with human development, so that digital transformation effectively contributes to sustainable social and economic progress.

Institutional reflection from the perspective of MUST University 

From an educational perspective, these reflections reaffirm the strategic role of higher education institutions in training professionals capable of acting critically and innovatively in this new technological era. Universities need to go beyond theoretical discussions and integrate AI literacy, ethical reflection, and the development of digital skills into their curricula, developing a generation of leaders who understand both the potential and limitations of artificial intelligence.

At MUST University, this vision translates into a permanent effort to integrate academic research, technological innovation, and humanistic values. The institutional mission is to train professionals who not only adapt to automation, but also lead transformation processes, ensuring that technology remains at the service of inclusion, creativity, and collective progress.

Therefore, Dias’ observations connect to values ​​that are also present in MUST University’s graduate programs, which combine applied research, critical thinking, and ethics in the use of new technologies.

Reference:

DIAS, Alvaro Machado.AI causes strong disruption in work, but little increase in the economy. Folha de S.Paulo, São Paulo, October 12, 2025, p. A17. Business Notebook.