By KIM BELLARD
Lately, I’ve found myself avoiding discussions about artificial intelligence (AI). The rapid pace of developments is overwhelming, and I struggle to keep track. Don’t ask me to explain the distinctions between GPT-5 and GPT-4 or what differentiates Gemini from Genie 3. Microsoft is eager for me to adopt Copilot, but I remain hesitant. Is DeepMind competing with deepseek? And is anthropic the French AI entity or is that Mistral? thankfully,there are younger minds who are more attuned to these advancements.
I am genuinely concerned about the trajectory of the AI revolution and whether we are steering it or merely passengers on this journey. In an article for Fast Company, Sebastion Buck, co-founder of Enso—a company focused on future design—offers a compelling outlook on this conversion:
The daunting reality is that we must rethink everything.
The thrilling aspect is that we have the opportunity to rethink everything.
Buck elaborates further:
The advent of new technologies opens up periods where social norms can be reshaped and institutions reimagined. This transitional phase will impact daily life in countless ways—from how individuals connect romantically to whether children complete written assignments, which jobs necessitate applications, and how people navigate urban environments while seeking medical diagnoses.
This presents us with design choices rather than predetermined outcomes. Who gets a say in these decisions? Every organization and community contemplating if—and how—to integrate AI into their operations likely includes you among them. Congratulations; you’re now part of shaping a revolutionary change.
I want to focus specifically on one area where intentional redesign could be crucial: employment and wealth distribution.
The consensus has emerged that offshoring significantly contributed to the decline of U.S. manufacturing jobs over the past three decades—jobs that once supported a robust middle class in blue-collar sectors. While there’s some validity in this assertion, automation arguably played an even larger role—and this was before AI entered the scene alongside today’s advanced robotics technology. More importantly, contemporary AI innovations are not limited solely to manufacturing; they are poised to infiltrate virtually every industry sector.
Pete Buttigieg, former Secretary of Transportation, cautioned:
The economic ramifications could be profoundly disruptive—and swiftly so. We’re talking about entire categories of employment where—not decades from now—but within just three or four years half of entry-level positions may vanish entirely. it will resemble my childhood experience in industrial Midwest America when trade agreements coupled with automation decimated numerous auto jobs during the nineties—but potentially tenfold more disruptive.
Buttigieg may not specialize in AI technology; though Erik Brynjolfsson—a senior fellow at Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence—is well versed in it. When asked about Buttigieg’s remarks during an interview with NPR’s morning Edition he stated: “He’s absolutely correct! We’re witnessing tremendous technological advancements while scant attention has been given towards preparing our economy for these shifts.”
A recent example can be seen thru notable layoffs occurring within tech companies lately as reported by Natasha singer writing for The New York Times. She highlights how computer science graduates have transitioned from anticipating six-figure starting salaries down to working at fast-food chains like Chipotle (and just wait until Chipotle automates those roles). According to data from The Federal Reserve Bank of New York unemployment rates among computer science majors remain better than those studying anthropology but surprisingly worse compared against nearly all other fields.
This concern extends beyond tech employees alone; Neil Irwin from Axios warns us saying: “In any forthcoming job market downturn—whether its already underway or still years away—we might witness a bloodbath affecting millions whose roles could easily be replaced by artificial intelligence.” He cites federal Reserve governor Lisa cook stating: “AI stands ready reshape our labor landscape which may alter our understanding regarding maximum employment levels and also natural unemployment rates.”
This suggests we haven’t yet grasped what lies ahead!
Dramatic changes occurred over thirty years ago when U.S manufacturing faced challenges while technology thrived instead! Today many leading global corporations derive their wealth primarily through technological ventures—with most affluent individuals having amassed fortunes via tech investments—which also happen largely invest heavily into developing AIs likely benefiting them most directly.
Brynjolfsson expresses concern regarding managing transitions toward an economy driven by artificial intelligence:
“Disaster,” indeed! And my apprehension grows stronger each day!
Evidently CEO-to-worker pay ratios have soared dramatically over recent four decades alongside unprecedented concentration levels regarding wealth accumulation within United States society simultaneously occurring social mobility—the quintessential American Dream wherein children surpass their parents’ achievements—has stagnated actually falling below several peer nations’ standards! Artificial Intelligence holds potential either remedying these issues—or exacerbating them significantly further!
The prospect surrounding capabilities offered through AIs excites imaginations everywhere envisioning enhanced efficiency across existing tasks along with opportunities previously unimaginable paving way towards post-scarcity abundance societies emerging soon enough yet does not guarantee equal benefits shared amongst all participants involved!
So if discussions around social welfare initiatives global basic income baby bonds etc., aren’t currently occupying your thoughts then perhaps it’s time reconsider priorities accordingly—as mr.Buck suggests let’s begin designing future vision surrounding upcoming revolutions brought forth via AIs!
KIM serves formerly as e-marketing executive major Blues plan editor late lamented Tincture.io regular contributor THCB now!