January Jobs Report: AI Skills Surge Amid Slowdown

# Podcast Episode Summary **U.S. Jobs Report Reveals Slowest Growth in Two Decades—But AI Skills Surge** The January 2026 jobs report shows modest gains of 130,000 positions with unemployment steady at 4.3%, but dramatic downward revisions reveal 2025 posted the weakest job growth outside a recession since 2003. Health care led gains with 82,000 new positions, while federal government and financial sectors shed thousands. Host Morgan Riley breaks down what economists are calling a "low-hire, low-fire" phase reminiscent of the cautious 2010s recovery. The bright spot? AI-related job postings have exploded 130% since pre-pandemic levels, now appearing in nearly half of all data analytics roles. With J.P. Morgan forecasting unemployment could peak at 4.5% before rebounding from tax cuts and AI productivity gains This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.