Wise Decision Maker Show · Dr. Gleb Tsipursky

60% of Business Leaders Think AI Will Fully Automate White-Collar Work by 2028: Julia Toothacre

April 8, 2026·17 min·1 clip

60% of business leaders think AI will fully automate white-collar work in just 12 to 18 months.

The episode begins with Dr. Gleb Tsipursky introducing himself as the host and CEO of Disaster Avoidance Experts, and welcoming guest Julia Toothacre, Chief Career Strategist at ResumeTemplates.com. Toothacre explains her role involves providing context for surveys on work trends based on her 15 years of career development experience. She describes a recent survey focused on AI, prompted by Microsoft's AI CEO's statement about AI taking over functions in 12-18 months. The survey methodology targeted 933 executive-level business leaders in the US, aged 30-70 with incomes over $100,000, from a mix of small, medium, and large organizations. The key finding is that 60% of these leaders agreed most white-collar work would be fully automated by AI within 12-18 months. Toothacre expresses surprise at this high number, suggesting it might be aspirational rather than realistic due to organizational complexities. Dr. Tsipursky adds his perspective from working with companies on AI adoption, noting they typically freeze hiring and train existing staff to manage AI agents rather than automate all work. Toothacre shares additional data: 10% are slowing hiring, 24% are eliminating roles due to AI, and 35% are using AI to support employees without reducing headcount. They discuss the mismatch between the 60% prediction and the lower percentages taking concrete actions. Toothacre breaks down other timeline predictions: 8% think automation will happen within three years, 9% in three to five years, and 21% in five to ten years, with the latter feeling more realistic. The conversation shifts to AI literacy, with 83% of leaders saying early-career workers need AI skills, 71% for mid-career, and 67% for late-career. Toothacre also notes a trend toward emphasizing trades over college education. She advises leaders to get feedback from employees and provide support during AI integration. Dr. Tsipursky thanks her and encourages listeners to subscribe and review the show.

As heard by us

A grounded look at AI anxiety, hiring freezes, and the slower reality of workplace change.

The piece treats workplace AI anxiety with a steadier hand than the usual alarmism. Julia Toothaker's point lands clearly: adoption tends to move in small steps, with firms freezing hiring, leaving some roles unfilled, or bringing in AI-focused hires while training current staff…

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Why you'd press play

You want the gap between AI panic and actual hiring behavior, explained plainly.

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