The AI Policy Podcast The Impact of AI on Labor with Harry Holzer
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Oct 17, 2025 
Join Harry Holzer, former Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Labor and Public Policy Professor at Georgetown, as he delves into the transformative effects of AI on the labor market. Holzer discusses how past automation favored skilled workers and predicts AI's future impact on jobs, including a potential loss of entry-level positions. He emphasizes the need for better data on AI's effects and offers policy recommendations focused on education and retraining programs to support displaced workers. Tune in for insights on job creation versus job loss!
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Early Life Shaped His Labor Focus
- Harry Holzer grew up on a rural chicken farm and his parents were Holocaust survivors.
- These experiences shaped his focus on disadvantaged workers and labor opportunities.
Why Automation Doesn’t Erase All Jobs
- Automation raises productivity which lowers consumer prices and spurs demand for new and existing goods.
- That increased demand often creates different jobs, offsetting many direct job losses over time.
Look At Tasks, Not Just Job Titles
- Occupational-level analysis matters because tasks — not broad job titles — determine AI exposure.
- Broad categories can hide impacts; narrow slices sometimes reveal softening in specific groups.