The debate over AI-driven job displacement has reached a fever pitch in 2025, particularly in the crypto and tech sectors. While doomsayers warn of a coming wave of automation-induced unemployment, figures like David Sacks, the U.S. White House’s AI and crypto czar, and Balaji Srinivasan, former CTO of argue that the narrative is overblown. Their perspectives clash with data from Microsoft’s recent AI susceptibility study, which identifies specific roles at risk of disruption. For investors, the challenge lies in discerning the reality from the hype and allocating capital to AI-augmented roles that will thrive in the evolving landscape.
The Optimistic Case: AI as a Collaborative Tool
David Sacks and Balaji Srinivasan present a compelling counter-narrative to the fearmongering. Sacks, leveraging his role as a policy architect, dismisses the “AI job loss narrative” as inflated, emphasizing that AI operates in the “middle-to-middle” stages of tasks but still requires human oversight for end-to-end processes. He points to Microsoft’s research, which found that even in high-risk roles like crypto journalism and customer service, AI applicability scores hover around 0.35–0.39, indicating partial automation rather than full replacement.
Srinivasan’s argument is equally nuanced: AI does not displace humans but replaces older AI models. For example, GPT-4 supersedes GPT-3, and Midjourney outcompetes Stable Diffusion. This “AI arms race” creates a dynamic where humans remain central to innovation, using newer tools to enhance productivity. Srinivasan’s view aligns with Sacks’ assertion that AI is a collaborative tool, not a replacement, reshaping workflows rather than erasing them.
Microsoft’s analysis of 200,000 Bing Copilot interactions offers a more granular view. The study identified 40 high-risk and 40 low-risk occupations, with crypto and tech roles like technical writers, customer service reps, and crypto journalists falling into the high-risk category. However, the data also reveals a critical nuance: AI applicability scores rarely exceed 0.5, meaning these roles are augmented rather than eliminated. For instance, AI can draft press releases or automate customer queries, but human judgment is still needed for strategic decisions, creative storytelling, and complex problem-solving.
This aligns with broader trends in the U.S. job market, where July 2025 saw only 73,000 new jobs added—well below expectations. In crypto, job growth is even more anemic, with just 38 roles listed on CryptoJobsList.com and 69 on Remote3.co. These figures suggest that while AI adoption is accelerating, its impact on employment remains limited and overstated.
Investment Implications: Where to Allocate Capital
For investors, the key lies in distinguishing between roles at risk of displacement and those poised to benefit from AI augmentation. Microsoft’s study highlights two clear paths:
- High-Risk Roles: Positions in crypto journalism, technical writing, and customer service are vulnerable to partial automation. However, these roles are not disappearing—they are evolving. For example, crypto journalists may shift from manual research to curating AI-generated insights, while customer service reps focus on resolving complex issues beyond AI’s current capabilities.
- AI-Augmented Roles: The study identifies roles in blockchain infrastructure, AI-driven security, and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization as high-growth areas. These positions require humans to manage AI tools, interpret data, and ensure ethical compliance. For instance, AI can automate smart contract audits, but human experts are still needed to design secure protocols and address edge cases.
Actionable Insights for Investors
- Prioritize Blockchain Infrastructure: The resurgence of mining and cloud-mining firms like XY Miners, backed by Sequoia Capital, signals growing demand for compute resources tied to AI. Investors should target companies building scalable infrastructure for AI-driven blockchain applications, such as and Ethena.
- Invest in AI-Enhanced Security: As AI adoption grows, so does the need for robust cybersecurity. Firms like and Hedera, which provide decentralized etworks and enterprise-grade solutions, are well-positioned to capitalize on this trend.
- Support RWA Tokenization Platforms: The tokenization of real-world assets (e.g., real estate, commodities) is gaining traction, with AI streamlining valuation and compliance. Platforms like Ethena and projects leveraging Ethereum’s infrastructure are prime candidates for investment.
- Fund AI Training and Upskilling Initiatives: As Sacks and Srinivasan emphasize, AI’s success hinges on human collaboration. Investors should back startups offering AI literacy programs and tools that integrate AI into workflows, such as AI-powered project management platforms.
- Monitor Regulatory Developments: The U.S. government’s pro-crypto policies, including stablecoin regulations and market structure laws, are creating a fertile ground for institutional adoption. Investors should track these developments and allocate capital to firms navigating regulatory clarity.
Conclusion: Balancing and Pragmatism
The fear of AI-driven job displacement in crypto and tech is largely overblown, but not entirely unfounded. While roles like crypto journalism and customer service face partial automation, the broader impact of AI is one of augmentation, not eradication. For investors, the path forward lies in supporting AI-augmented roles that leverage human creativity, judgment, and strategic thinking. By focusing on infrastructure, security, and RWA tokenization, investors can position themselves to thrive in the AI-driven future of work.