With the rapid growth and rise of artificial intelligence Missourians are having to adapt to how they work. As businesses continue to adopt AI questions are being raised about job displacement and long-term workforce stability.
A SmartAsset study found that 25.6% of Missouri workers now use AI at work, ranking the state seventh nationally for workplace AI prevalence. The same analysis shows about 230 of every 100,000 residents are employed in AI-related fields or data centers.
“As growth continues to happen with people in business, the opportunities will grow as well,” said Avion Bryant, chief technical officer at Stronghold Data. “As AI evolves, it gets faster. We want to have more growth opportunities, too.”
Nearly one in five Missouri businesses now use AI in some form, slightly above the national average, according to economic researchers. Industries ranging from manufacturing and agriculture to finance and health care are beginning to adopt AI tools for tasks such as logistics, data analysis and administrative support.
“Because of our diversified economy, we’re going to have jobs that are still around for a good while,” said Alan Spell, who researches regional economic development at Missouri University, “Predicting the future is one of the worst things economists can do, but Missouri’s diversification helps us out.”
Still, experts warn that AI is reshaping job structures, particularly in white-collar and entry-level roles.
“An experienced software developer can now use AI to do the work of three people,” Spell said, which could potentially reduce demand for new hires in certain fields.
A recent analysis of generative AI adoption found that occupations with higher exposure to AI experienced greater increases in unemployment between 2022 and 2025, particularly in computer and math-related fields.
However, economists caution businesses that the long term effects of AI are still uncertain. While there is the possibility that some jobs could be eliminated or changed, others are being created as technology evolves. Prompt engineers are evidence that new jobs appeared that weren’t anticipated.
Colleges across the state have introduced programs in applied artificial intelligence, data science, and related fields to prepare students for a shifting labor market.
At the same time, AI is also improving efficiency in sectors like health care, education, and manufacturing. Some tools are already making an impact by reducing multi-day tasks to hours and vastly speeding up administrative work.
State officials say this transformation is part of a broader economic shift rather than simple job loss. Missouri’s government has also begun integrating AI into internal operations, with officials emphasizing productivity gains and workforce support rather than replacement.
“This level of time-saving is profound,” said Dr. Josh Wymer of the Department of Health and Senior Services.
“While AI will displace certain tasks, the broader pattern will likely mirror past technological shifts,” wrote Morgan Chase of The St. Louis American, “AI initially displaced workers, but ultimately expanded industries, created new roles and delivered powerful waves of productivity growth.”
Uncertainty still remains a factor as some research indicates AI is already affecting employment in highly exposed occupations, particularly in technology sectors. Others argue that productivity gains will ultimately drive new demand and offset losses.
As Missouri continues to adopt AI into the workforce, balance is still looking to be found that leverages efficiency and innovation but doesn’t take away jobs from hard working people who are trained and prepared for that are continuing to evolve.
