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Kevin O'Leary Predicts AI Will Replace This High-Paid Career First

Is your career under threat?

By Sarah Sharkey , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated Oct. 20, 2026

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Artificial intelligence (AI) has been making a splash in the headlines lately. Many are predicting that AI will begin to replace jobs, at least certain types of jobs. And the latest prediction comes from Kevin O'Leary, who expects one particularly high-paying field to see significant cuts due to AI.

This guide explores what jobs AI may be replacing, why, and how it could affect your wallet.

What high-paying career is under threat from AI?

The number one high-paying job that is at risk of being replaced by AI is consulting, according to Kevin O'Leary.

"Even the companies that I invest in that used to use a lot of consultants for very specific vertical situations … are first going to AI, which they can do for a lot cheaper," he said in a recent interview.

While this was something he began watching a few years ago, he's noticed the trend toward AI accelerating in the last two years. As AI becomes more readily available as a cheap and effective tool, O'Leary expects the trend to continue putting pressure on consulting jobs.

Why is AI a threat to consulting jobs?

Businesses and organizations often hire outside consultants to help them evaluate their management practices. It's a highly paid field, with management analysts earning an average of $101,860 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

For decades, organizations have been willing to pay relatively high price points for the insights provided. But with the advent of AI, more business leaders are turning to AI tools to run data analysis and look for ways to improve operations without hiring the help of an outside business consultant. It's a cheaper alternative way to find solutions.

Will AI entirely eliminate consulting jobs?

Like most jobs that AI threatens, it seems unlikely that consulting jobs will disappear entirely. Instead, it seems likely that the industry will contract and have fewer of these types of jobs to go around.

Additionally, some consulting firms have begun to use AI as an internal tool. This could make their outputs stronger and faster. Adaptable consultants willing to harness the power of AI may find themselves even more in demand than ever before.

What similar jobs could be at risk?

Much of a consultant's job involves gathering and analyzing data. With that, it's clearly not just consultants facing pressure from AI.

Other similar jobs, especially those with repetitive computer tasks, may also be on the chopping block. For example, others have suggested that software engineers and data scientists could be at risk of losing their jobs to AI.

How to future-proof your consulting career

If you're a consultant looking to future-proof your career, the best thing to do is remain adaptable. The industry is changing, and you'll need to change with the times. For some, this may look like pivoting into a related space.

Others who want to stick it out with consulting likely need to learn everything they can about using AI as an effective tool. After all, these powerful tools are only as powerful as you allow them to be. If you master using AI to find solutions for business operations, businesses may still pay for your services instead of figuring out how to best use AI on their own.

Becoming incredibly proficient in your use of AI could put you ahead of the pack. It's likely worth investing a fair bit of time and energy into building out these skills, if you want to remain in the consulting space for the long term.

Bottom line

The economy has seen a bumpy ride over the last few years. And with AI becoming more and more prevalent, it's likely we'll continue to see major changes in the job market.

Of course, O'Leary's prediction may or may not affect your particular industry. But the reality is that as AI rolls out, many may face job losses. If you're concerned about your industry, it's a good time to get serious about your finances. That might look like getting out of debt, building up your emergency fund, or even building a nest egg for retirement. Being proactive with your finances will give you more breathing room if AI does come for your job.