The traditional image of checkout counters staffed by cashiers in supermarkets is rapidly changing, reflecting a profound transformation driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). We are not just experiencing a time of change, but a genuine era shift, as the AI systems themselves emphasize. Following the emergence of Generative AI in 2022, capable of creating texts, images, audio, videos, and code from data, and the consolidation of its use between 2023 and 2025 with tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Midjourney, Dall-E, or Sora, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of "Agentic AI." Now, AI not only answers questions but also executes complex tasks, plans, and coordinates projects from start to finish, collaborating with other autonomous agents. These new AI models stand out for their advanced reasoning, known as "chain thinking," which significantly reduces errors in professional environments. Thus, AI becomes a tool capable of transforming project management, allowing a single person, supported by intelligent agents, to perform tasks that previously required large teams. Savings in salaries are reinvested in technology, data centers, and energy. This phenomenon is not limited to large tech companies. Consulting firms and Spanish companies dedicated to automation are already warning about jobs at risk of disappearing before 2035, such as bank and supermarket cashiers, travel agents, toll operators, and professional drivers, replaced by autonomous systems. Coral Calero, a professor of Languages and Computer Systems, states that the disappearance of routine jobs is inevitable, especially in large corporations, although the process will be gradual and will extend to all types of companies. AI does not represent an "apocalypse of employment," but rather a deep restructuring. It is estimated that there will be nearly 100,000 layoffs this year in large tech companies, half of which are directly related to AI automation. However, new positions will also be created, especially those requiring human oversight, critical judgment, and specialized knowledge. National studies identify four particularly vulnerable profiles: administrative staff, customer service, translators, and legal assistants. Ana González from UGT Castilla-La Mancha warns that the automation of repetitive tasks can precarize employment and increase the gender and age gap, particularly affecting women and young people. Not everyone shares this pessimistic view. José Manuel Pinillos from UGT Public Services defends the importance of the human component in administration, where legal validation and professional judgment remain essential. He argues that technology has improved efficiency but has not reduced employment in the public sector. In the field of translation, Javier Minaya, a professor at UCLM, believes that AI will not replace translators in sensitive contexts such as legal or medical fields, especially in minority languages. Rather, the challenge will be to adapt and leverage AI as a complementary tool. Vicente Cuesta from the Ciudad Real Bar Association agrees that AI automates mechanical tasks but does not replace the role of the lawyer. The real challenge will be adaptation: professionals who integrate AI into their work will be more competitive than those who resist change. In summary, AI is redefining the labor market, eliminating some jobs, transforming others, and generating new opportunities for those who can adapt. The key will be in training and the ability to reinvent oneself in an increasingly automated environment. Source: lanzadigital.com