I'd say the solution would be to move out of the Bay Area and inland, where there were always fewer jobs but also fewer people to fill them. Wages are certainly lower there but so is the cost of living.

But is the downturn due to A.I.? I doubt it. The job market was booming after COVID and companies were hiring like there was no tomorrow. Things are now settling down to sane levels and means many will lose their jobs.

Also there's a general downturn from import tariffs and higher energy prices.