Jeff Bezos says AI could power a return to single-earner households as it turbocharges productivity

Jeff Bezos says AI could lead to a labor shortage by enabling people to work less.

Stacy Revere/Getty Images Amazon founder Jeff Bezos says the productivity gains from AI could lead to a labor shortage.

Extra productivity may mean families only need one working parent, he said in a Fox News interview.

This will take people out of the workforce and make hiring more difficult, Bezos added.

Jeff Bezos says many families will return to having just one working parent as AI drives increased productivity.

Speaking to Fox News in an interview on Wednesday evening, the Amazon founder said the workplace efficiency gains he believes AI will trigger could lead to a labor shortage.

If AI increases economic productivity as he expects it to, "you're not going to need to have a two-earner income household," Bezos told Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier.

"If you want to have it, it's fine.

You'll have it.

But if you don't want to have it, one of the people might drop out," he added.

Bezos went on to say that increased productivity from AI could also mean people can make enough money to choose to work three days a week instead of the traditional five.

"Some people will also decide, you know what, I can support my family working three days a week.

That's what productivity in the economy means," he said.

This option will, in turn, make it more challenging for companies to hire as more people choose not to work, Bezos said.