Jasmine Sun’s recent essay in the New York Times raises a chilling specter: a permanent underclass created by the relentless march of artificial intelligence. The blunt words are those of a insider, one who’s seen firsthand the worrying attitudes among AI professionals about the future of work.
The Bleak Assessment
Sun’s opening line – “Most people I know in the A.I. industry think the median person is screwed, and they have no idea what to do about it” – is a stark warning about the potential consequences of automating jobs. It’s not just a pessimistic attitude; it’s a candid acknowledgment of the industry’s impact on the workforce. Sun isn’t the first to sound the alarm, but her assertion is significant: the people building the AI systems that will displace jobs are starting to realize that nobody knows how to fix it.
The Growing Divide
The worry is that AI will exacerbate existing inequalities, creating a permanent underclass of people who’ve been left behind by technological progress. With the median wage stagnating and job security a luxury of the past, even those already struggling will find themselves in an even more precarious position. Sun highlights the eerie silence from those who could address this issue: the experts in the AI industry are either in denial or powerless to act.
What this means
As AI systems become increasingly sophisticated, it’s time to stop pretending that this issue doesn’t exist. Jasmine Sun’s essay is a wake-up call, a reminder that the conversation about AI’s impact on jobs needs to be more nuanced and proactive. While AI has the potential to bring about tremendous benefits, we can’t ignore the risks of exacerbating social and economic inequalities. The people who’ve been left behind by technological progress deserve a more thoughtful response from policymakers and industry leaders.
