Artificial intelligence could wipe out some jobs, but workers who learn how to use it may be the ones who win the next economy, Ryan Binkley and Abteen Vaziri said on Let’s Talk Local.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett spoke with Binkley and Vaziri about AI, workforce disruption, skilled trades, H-1B visas, education, and the skills young Americans need to stay competitive.
Binkley said AI will bring both risk and opportunity.
“When money and opportunity comes, comes great disruption,” Binkley said. “I think there is going to be a good and a bad.”
He said some back-office jobs may disappear, but people who can communicate, lead, serve customers, and adapt will remain valuable.
“Every time there’s a disruption, there’s always opportunity,” Binkley said.
Vaziri compared AI to earlier technological shifts, including power tools, personal computers, and the internet. He said the real threat is not the tool itself, but falling behind people who know how to use it.
“The power tool didn’t take your job,” Vaziri said. “The guy that knows how to use that power tool took your job.”
“AI is a tool,” he added.
The conversation also turned to skilled trades, entrepreneurship, student debt, H-1B visas, and whether schools are preparing young people for work that can support families.
Vaziri said one practical skill matters across nearly every career.
“Your number one skill set is selling,” Vaziri said.
Binkley and Vaziri discussed AI, jobs, trades, H-1B visas, student debt, sales, communication, and the American dream in the full Let’s Talk Local conversation.
