Artificial Intelligence's looming threat to employment and self-worth: The trailblazer of AI issues cautionary statements
AI Pioneers Debate Universal Basic Income as Solution to Job Losses
In a rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI), some of the industry's most influential figures are discussing the potential impact on employment and the role of universal basic income (UBI) as a solution.
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, and Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, have both advocated for UBI as a safeguard against job losses caused by AI. Altman has funded one of the largest UBI trials in the US, while Musk made his calls at the VivaTech conference last year.
However, not all AI pioneers are convinced. Geoffrey Hinton, often referred to as the "Godfather of AI" and the inventor of the technology behind ChatGPT, is warning that AI could lead to massive unemployment and increase wealth inequality. Despite previously advising the UK government to explore UBI, Hinton is skeptical about its effectiveness.
Hinton argues that people gain their value through their work, and a universal basic income would not make up for the loss of dignity that comes with job loss. He attributes the disruption caused by AI not to the technology itself, but to the capitalist system that concentrates wealth, making the rich richer and many others poorer.
Vinod Khosla, a prominent venture capitalist, shares Hinton's concerns. Khosla predicts that AI will take over 80 percent of the work in 80 percent of jobs, making a basic income "crucial" to prevent an increase in inequality. He argues that the value of human labor will decrease as AI takes over jobs, making a basic income necessary.
Dario Amodei, the CEO of Anthropic, agrees that UBI is not a comprehensive solution. He describes it as "only a small part" of the solution and warns that society will have to invent entirely new systems to cope with the change brought about by AI.
Hinton's concerns are not unfounded. As AI continues to advance, it is likely that many jobs will be automated, leading to significant changes in the job market. The debate on UBI as a potential solution to these challenges will undoubtedly continue as AI continues to shape our world.
