Expert Says Job Crisis Isn’t Driven by AI but by a Declining ‘Will to Work,’ Especially Among Men

As fears grow about artificial intelligence taking jobs and a widening skills gap dominating headlines, one expert says the real labor crisis in America is not primarily about technology but about people’s declining motivation to participate in the workforce, particularly among men. According to Mike Rowe, CEO of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation and longtime advocate for skilled trades, it is the “will to work” that is eroding, with millions of able-bodied men neither employed nor actively looking for work, a trend he believes is unprecedented in peacetime. This perspective challenges the narrative that AI or automation alone is driving job dislocation, and instead highlights deeper social and cultural issues affecting workforce participation.

The Will to Work Versus Job Skills

While many discussions focus on the so-called skills gap and how automation and AI tools may disrupt occupations, Rowe argues that even where jobs exist, the real problem lies in whether people want to work in them and are willing to show up consistently. The “skills gap” may be real in some sectors, but the “will gap” is equally significant, he said, noting that approximately 6.8 million men are reportedly not only unemployed but also not seeking work, a pattern not seen historically outside wartime. By shifting attention from machines to human motivation, Rowe reframes the labor challenge facing the country today.

Men’s Workforce Participation Decline

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a long-term decline in men’s labor force participation, falling from around eighty-seven percent in the late 1940s to approximately sixty-eight percent in recent years. A report from the Bipartisan Policy Center similarly shows that the share of prime-age men engaged in work has slipped from nearly ninety-eight percent in the mid-1950s to below ninety percent today, suggesting structural changes in workforce engagement that go beyond temporary economic cycles. These shifts raise questions about generational attitudes toward employment, societal expectations, and the kinds of jobs that are available or valued in the modern economy.

Why AI Isn’t the Central Issue

Although artificial intelligence and automation receive prominent attention as potential job killers, evidence suggests that AI’s impact on overall employment is complex, with technology reshaping tasks rather than simply eliminating work outright. Economists note that factors such as economic uncertainty, demographic shifts, and hiring practices are also influencing labor markets and hiring slowdowns, indicating that AI is not the sole or dominant force in employment trends. In this context, the narrative that machines are the central cause of worker displacement may obscure the deeper human and economic dynamics at play.

Survey Insights on Unemployment Causes

Surveys of unemployed individuals reveal a range of reasons why people are not working or looking for work, with a substantial portion citing mental or physical health issues, outdated skills, or weak work histories as barriers to finding employment. While a portion of men indicate they are not working by choice, many others point to structural obstacles such as lack of training or health challenges that complicate their ability to participate in the labor force. These mixed responses suggest that motivations to engage with work and the capacity to do so are shaped by both personal circumstances and broader economic conditions.

Solutions Through Skills and Support

Rowe has championed practical solutions aimed at expanding access to skills training and strengthening workforce participation, particularly in skilled trades where job openings remain plentiful but qualified workers are scarce. Through his foundation, he has awarded millions of dollars in scholarships to support individuals pursuing careers in areas such as plumbing, welding, and electrical work, emphasizing that tangible skills and hands-on training can provide stable pathways to employment. Such efforts complement broader calls from policymakers to increase financial aid for vocational education and improve workplace supports that make employment more viable for those facing barriers.

Workplace Benefits and Return to Work

Beyond skills training, enhancing workplace benefits such as health insurance, paid sick leave, disability accommodations, mental health support, and flexible scheduling could help encourage more people to return to or stay in the workforce. Surveys suggest that many prime-age men would be more likely to engage with employment if these kinds of support were readily available, pointing to the importance of addressing both practical and social needs. Employers and policymakers alike may need to rethink how work environments and benefit structures can address barriers to participation.

Economic Consequences of Workforce Exit

The decline in workforce participation, particularly among men, carries broader economic implications, as lower labor supply can constrain growth, reduce consumer spending, and exacerbate inflationary pressures, according to economic research. Increasing participation could contribute to stronger economic performance and help fill gaps in sectors struggling to find workers, including manufacturing, infrastructure, and essential services where technology alone cannot substitute human labor. This potential for economic benefit highlights why reversing workforce disengagement has become a topic of national concern.

The Debate Over Work and Value

The conversation about the future of work extends beyond statistics to cultural perceptions of employment, meaning, and personal fulfillment, with some arguing that work remains central to identity and social cohesion while others point to changing values and expectations. Debates over AI’s role versus human agency in shaping work reflect deeper questions about how societies value labor, productivity, and purpose in an era of rapid economic change. These discussions underscore the complexity of addressing labor market challenges in ways that balance innovation with human wellbeing.

Job Crisis Isn’t Driven by AI

In conclusion, while artificial intelligence and automation are reshaping the labor market and influencing the nature of work, some experts argue that the more pressing issue may be a declining desire to work among certain groups, particularly men, which has more immediate consequences for workforce participation and economic strength. Addressing this “will to work” gap may require a combination of expanded skills training, improved workplace benefits, and broader cultural shifts that make meaningful employment accessible and attractive. Ultimately, solutions that integrate human motivation with practical support systems could be key to strengthening America’s labor force in the years ahead.