Washington ESD claim - worried AI will cause mass unemployment affecting future benefits

But this feels different - AI could replace entire industries at once, not just cyclical layoffs.

True, but Washington ESD has adapted to major changes before. During COVID they had to completely restructure how claims work.

That's reassuring. Do you think they'd change the job search requirements if there literally aren't enough jobs?

Absolutely. The job search requirement gets waived during major economic disruptions. They'd probably focus more on retraining programs.

Speaking of job search requirements, I'm struggling to meet mine right now because I can't get through to Washington ESD to clarify what counts. Anyone have luck reaching them lately?

Never heard of that. Is it legit? How much does it cost?

Yeah it's real, you can check it out at claimyr.com. They don't ask for personal info, just help you navigate the phone system to reach an agent.

Interesting, might try that. I've been calling for weeks about my adjudication status.

What industry were you in? I'm wondering which jobs are most at risk.

Software testing. AI tools can now do most of what I did. Customer service and data entry are getting hit hard too.

That's scary. But new technologies usually create new types of jobs too, right?

The system has its problems but it's processed millions of claims successfully. Major disruptions usually lead to improvements and more funding.

tell that to everyone whos been waiting months for adjudication

That's actually a good point. If they can't handle current volume, how would they handle 10x more claims?

Exactly. The weekly benefit amount hasn't increased much while rent and groceries have skyrocketed.

Good point. My current benefits barely cover basic expenses.

Did it actually work? I'm desperate to talk to someone about my pending claim.

Yeah, completely legitimate. Just helps you navigate their phone system more efficiently.

Glad it worked for you too! I've recommended it to several people now.

What kind of retraining programs does Washington ESD offer? Are they keeping up with technological changes?

They have partnerships with community colleges for various programs. Check WorkSource Washington for current offerings.

I looked into those programs. Most are still focused on traditional trades, not really AI-era skills.

Don't let it get to you. Focus on what you can control right now - your current job search and claim.

Agreed. Worrying about hypothetical future scenarios won't help your current situation.

That's great! How long had you been waiting?

Almost 6 weeks. The form was something my employer should have submitted automatically but it got lost in their system.

Maybe I should try that service too. My claim has been pending for a month.

UBI is an interesting concept but it would require massive political and economic changes. UI is more likely to evolve gradually.

yeah right like the government would ever give us free money without jumping through hoops

That makes sense. Maybe instead of just job search requirements, they'll require skill-building activities.

They already do that in some states. Washington could expand their WorkSource programs to include more tech training.

What kind of new skills did the successful ones learn?

Equipment maintenance, programming, quality control. Basically anything that required human judgment to work with the machines.

True. No politician wants to deal with millions of unemployed voters with no support.

assuming they care about voters and not just corporate donors

Even from a purely economic standpoint, mass unemployment without support would crash consumer spending and hurt everyone.

Are those new roles accessible to people without tech degrees?

Some are. Many require training but not necessarily a 4-year degree. It's more about learning new tools and processes.

That's a good point. Service jobs requiring human interaction are probably safer from automation.

Until they invent realistic robots. But that's probably decades away.

Good attitude! Focusing on what you can control is always the best approach.

And remember Claimyr is there if you need to reach Washington ESD about anything with your claim.

Best of luck with your job search! The economy is still creating jobs even with all the AI concerns.

That's probably the most realistic take. Thanks for keeping things in perspective.

Agreed. The key is staying informed and adaptable rather than panicking about hypothetical scenarios.

Good reminder. I need to log my job searches for this week.

Same here. It's easy to get distracted by big picture stuff and forget about the weekly requirements.

Well said. That's basically what I'm taking away from this whole discussion.

Exactly. Adaptation and continuous learning are key to navigating any economic transition.