Big Short investor Michael Burry says even trade careers widely viewed as safe from artificial intelligence may be more vulnerable than people expect, as AI tools begin to substitute for basic professional services.
In a Google Doc discussion among AI leaders published on Substack, Burry challenges the common belief that plumbing, electrical work and similar hands-on jobs are insulated from automation, noting that AI-assisted DIY is already changing household decision-making.
Burry explains his concern by pointing to how quickly AI has lowered the barrier to performing tasks that once required paid expertise, especially for middle-class households facing rising service costs.
“Many point to trade careers as an AI-proof choice. Given how much I can now do in electrical work and other areas around the house just with Claude at my side, I am not so sure. If I’m middle-class and am facing an $800 plumber or electrician call, I might just use Claude. I love that I can take a picture and figure out everything I need to do to fix it.”
Burry’s comments suggest that AI’s impact on labor may extend beyond white-collar work, not by replacing skilled trades outright, but by shrinking demand for routine jobs as more people turn to AI-guided self-reliance.
His view runs in contrast to a study of more than 900 US jobs published last year, which found installation, maintenance and repair are unlikely to experience much impact from AI. Meanwhile, the estimated share of jobs that are vulnerable in legal services stands at 44%, architecture and engineering at 37%, life and physical sciences at 36% and business and financial operations at 35%.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed at CapitalAI Daily are not investment advice. Investors should do their own due diligence before making any decisions involving securities, cryptocurrencies, or digital assets. Your transfers and trades are at your own risk, and any losses you may incur are your responsibility. CapitalAI Daily does not recommend the buying or selling of any assets, nor is CapitalAI Daily an investment advisor. See our Editorial Standards and Terms of Use.