The AI Washing Test

When a company says “AI took these jobs”, is that true, or is AI the best-sounding excuse? Answer five questions about any layoff headline.

1. Is a named AI system doing the work?

"AI" in general does not count. A specific tool doing specific tasks does.

Yes No

2. Did the work itself actually go down?

If calls, tickets or orders went up, the AI is not doing the job.

Yes No

3. Is something else going on?

Over-hiring, falling sales, high interest rates, even exchange rates.

Yes No

4. Did the cuts hit the exact tasks AI now does?

Cuts across every team look like a cost cut in an AI costume.

Yes No

5. Six months later, was the work rehired or moved offshore?

Bringing the work back means the AI was not doing it.

Yes No

VerdictAnswer all five

This test is a thinking tool, not proof. We run it on big layoff stories in the episodes. See the episodes.