Artificial intelligence and technological unemployment: Understanding trends, technology's adverse roles, and current mitigation guidelines

Abstract

As artificial intelligence (AI) and automation continue to reshape industries, concerns about technological unemployment are intensifying. This study employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) guided by the PRISMA framework to examine peer-reviewed literature from the Scopus database (2015–July 09, 2025). It identifies three core themes: (1) trends in AI-induced labor displacement, including task automation, skill polarization, and industry-specific disruptions in sectors such as healthcare, education, and creative industries; (2) the adverse roles of AI technologies, particularly in affecting white-collar professionals, gig workers, and freelancers by increasing precarity and skill mismatches; and (3) existing mitigation strategies, including responsible AI guidelines proposed by governments, institutions, and firms aimed at balancing technological advancement with employment protection. While a growing body of policy responses encourages human-AI complementarity, current measures remain fragmented and insufficient to address the structural risks of workforce displacement. This study presents a comprehensive synthesis of the evolving relationship between AI and employment, highlighting key areas for further inquiry and policy development.