A recent surge in entrepreneurship has seen 1.56 million business applications filed in the US over a three-month period, with many individuals leaving their jobs to start their own businesses due to concerns about AI replacing human workers.

What Happened

The number of business applications filed in the US from November to January has reached 1.56 million, according to an analysis by CNBC Make It of U.S. Census Bureau data. This is the highest three-month period since at least 2004. Many individuals who have left their jobs to start their own businesses cite concerns about AI replacing human workers as a major factor in their decision.

Travis Di Lombardi-Spicer, for example, quit his audio producing job after being passed up for a raise in January 2025. He spent $40,000 of his own savings to launch the beta version of Spotbookr, an AI-powered consumer spending and advertising analytics business, in May 2025.

Background and Context

The rise in entrepreneurship is not entirely unexpected, given the stagnant job market and mass layoffs that have occurred in recent years. However, this crop of entrepreneurs is different from previous ones. Many are leaving their jobs preemptively to start businesses, anticipating future layoffs due to AI-related job cuts.

Michelle Yeung, founder of New York-based cafe Matcha House, left her software engineering career after watching AI's capabilities grow increasingly advanced. She says she wanted to be in control and have a sense of security that comes with being one's own boss.

Why it Matters to the Industry

The trend of individuals leaving their jobs to start their own businesses due to concerns about AI replacing human workers has significant implications for the adult industry. Many platforms and operators in this space rely on human workers, such as performers and moderators, to provide content and services.

As AI continues to advance and automate tasks, there is a growing concern that human workers will be replaced by machines. This could have significant consequences for the adult industry, which relies heavily on human labor to generate revenue.

What Comes Next

The rise in entrepreneurship and concerns about AI replacing human workers are likely to continue in the coming years. As a result, the adult industry will need to adapt to these changes and find ways to incorporate AI into its operations while minimizing the impact on human workers.

Key Facts

  • The number of business applications filed in the US from November to January has reached 1.56 million, according to an analysis by CNBC Make It of U.S. Census Bureau data.
  • Many individuals who have left their jobs to start their own businesses cite concerns about AI replacing human workers as a major factor in their decision.
  • The trend of individuals leaving their jobs to start their own businesses due to concerns about AI replacing human workers has significant implications for the adult industry.
  • As AI continues to advance and automate tasks, there is a growing concern that human workers will be replaced by machines in the adult industry.
  • The rise in entrepreneurship and concerns about AI replacing human workers are likely to continue in the coming years.

According to a Resume Now poll from December, four in 10 workers said AI was making their jobs more difficult. This trend is likely to continue as AI becomes increasingly integrated into various industries, including the adult industry.

AI Adoption Rates

A recent study by Exploding Topics found that 1 in 5 companies are using AI in some form. The study also found that the adoption rate of AI is increasing rapidly, with many companies investing heavily in AI technology to stay ahead of the competition.

The adult industry can learn from these trends and adapt to the changing landscape by incorporating AI into its operations while minimizing the impact on human workers. This may involve automating tasks such as moderation or content creation, or using AI-powered tools to enhance customer experience.