NYC man who lost his job to AI accidentally sent his unemployment benefits to stranger after making typo while filling out form

A New York City man endured a brutal chain of events after losing his job, only to miss out on unemployment benefits due to a simple typo.

Philip Walters had a string of bad luck last November, starting with a layoff and then an endless fight for unemployment checks.

Walters told local ABC affiliate WABC that he believes his layoff as a data analyst at a hospital was driven by the rise of artificial intelligence.

He then applied twice for unemployment and was denied. Walters appealed the decision and fought for the benefits at a hearing.

After months of trying to secure benefits, he was finally approved but never received the funds.

Walters told WABC that the monthly checks went to another person's bank account because he entered his checking account number without the last digit.

He then had to fight another battle to get the money he was owed. When Walters contacted his bank, they told him he had to resolve the issue with the Department of Labor (DOL).

In the interim, Walters delivered for DoorDash, cleaned houses and worked in construction.

Philip Walters was forced to fight for unemployment benefits and went months without receiving them due to a typo

Walters told WABC that he previously worked as a data analyst and was laid off in what he believes was motivated by AI advancement

Walters contacted WABC to tell his story and finally got back pay after reporters reached out to his bank and the DOL.

His missed benefit checks had totaled $11,782 and were deposited into his account after almost a year of unemployment.

'I was shocked. It was so unexpected,' Walters told WABC.

Walters is one of many who have lost their jobs or fear losing them in the wake of AI advancement.

His story comes as Senate Democrats have introduced legislation to expand unemployment benefits under the Stability and Opportunity for Workers Act.

Walters was told by his bank that they could not fix the deposit without help from the Department of Labor

Walters was finally given the $11,782 he was owed after a tiresome fight

'Americans feel the looming fear of AI job losses,' Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden said in a statement on Friday.

'The support meant to protect workers from financial devastation when they lose their jobs is brittle and out of date, and needs to be updated before the next economic crisis,' he added.

The bill would expand unemployment benefit standards to include gig workers and those displaced specifically by AI, like Walters.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the New York DOL for comment.