Study Finds Generative AI Is Slashing Freelance Jobs — Even for Top Performers

[tradelikepro]

A new study published in Organization Science reveals that generative AI tools like ChatGPT are already reshaping the freelance economy — and not in freelancers’ favor.

Titled “The Short-Term Effects of Generative Artificial Intelligence on Employment: Evidence from an Online Labor Market,” the research provides some of the first concrete data showing AI’s immediate impact on digital labor markets.

One of the most surprising findings? Top freelancers are being hit the hardest.

“For every 1% increase in a freelancer's past earnings, they experience an additional 0.5% drop in job opportunities and a 1.7% decrease in monthly income following the introduction of AI technologies,” said Xiang Hui, a co-author of the study and professor at Washington University in St. Louis.

Rather than protecting high performers, AI appears to be eroding their competitive edge.

[mendez]

top freelancers getting hit hardest is such a fun little plot twist