New Delhi, August 6, 2025 — Mo Gawdat, a former top executive at Google X, has issued a stark warning about the future of artificial intelligence, suggesting that the rise of powerful AI systems could dismantle the global middle class and create widespread social upheaval.
Speaking on The Diary of a CEO podcast, Gawdat predicted that Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) — a future generation of AI capable of outperforming humans at nearly any intellectual task — will make many current jobs obsolete within the next 15 years. Roles once considered secure, such as programmers, content creators, and even CEOs, could soon be handled more efficiently by machines, he said.
“Unless you’re in the top 0.1%, you’re a peasant,” Gawdat stated bluntly. “AGI will be better at everything than humans, even being a CEO.”
A Disruptive Decade Ahead
Gawdat described the next 15 years as a turbulent transition period, warning that unless serious action is taken, the economic systems that support the middle class may collapse. He said the world could face “hell before we get to heaven,” as societies struggle to adjust to a future shaped by automation.
One key concern: job displacement on a massive scale. Gawdat shared his own experience at a startup building emotionally intelligent AI. What once took 300 employees to develop can now be managed by just three people, thanks to AI tools.
Risks Beyond Jobs: Identity and Mental Health
Gawdat cautioned that the consequences go beyond employment. With traditional job roles disappearing, people could face a loss of purpose, identity, and social connection — leading to increases in loneliness, mental health issues, and even social unrest.
Joining a Chorus of AI Concerns
His warning adds to growing anxiety among AI pioneers. Just weeks ago, Geoffrey Hinton, often dubbed the “Godfather of AI,” raised concerns that future AI models may evolve their own internal language — making them harder to monitor or control.
“If they start thinking in their own language, we might not even know what they’re thinking,” Hinton said in a separate interview.
The Call for Regulation and Reform
Despite the productivity benefits AI can bring, Gawdat urged governments and policymakers to act now. He emphasized the need for regulations, safety nets, and new economic frameworks to prevent rising inequality and the breakdown of social cohesion.
Without such measures, he warned, even those who benefit from AI could find themselves in a world marked by deep division and instability.
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