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AI Staffing Uncertainty Could Expand 35% “Disposable” Workers

8/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

MIT labor economist Paul Osterman says marginal workers represent 17 percent of U.S. employees, about one in six.
He groups contractors (13 percent), organizational freelancers (5 percent), gig workers (just over 1 percent) and marginal workers (17 percent) into a disposable-worker segment that totals about 35 percent of the labor force (~55 million).
Osterman warns AI could increase disposable-worker use because AI creates staffing-need uncertainty, prompting firms to favor flexible, low-cost labor.

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Story summary

MIT labor economist Paul Osterman says marginal workers represent 17 percent of U.S. employees, about one in six.
He groups contractors (13 percent), organizational freelancers (5 percent), gig workers (just over 1 percent) and marginal workers (17 percent) into a disposable-worker segment that totals about 35 percent of the labor force (~55 million).
Osterman warns AI could increase disposable-worker use because AI creates staffing-need uncertainty, prompting firms to favor flexible, low-cost labor.