The author suggests that AI can supercharge productivity and is already becoming common among students and workers. It is also affecting a set of workers who have never faced an automation shock before, particularly educated, highly paid workers with creative jobs. The author argues that companies should not turn efficiency gains into headcount or cost reduction, but rather use their newly productive workforce to dominate those who try to keep their post-AI output the same. The article concludes by stating that AI does not need to be catastrophic and can create local victories if used correctly. However, serious discussions about its use need to start soon, as the world is advancing too fast to remain passive.
Key takeaways:
- The discourse around AI often focuses on apocalyptic scenarios, but the reality is that we are already living in the early days of the AI Age and need to make important decisions about its impact.
- AI has the potential to supercharge productivity and is already becoming common among students and workers, but it also poses a threat to jobs, particularly those of educated and highly paid workers.
- Companies have a choice in how they use the increased efficiency provided by AI - they can either reduce their workforce or use their newly productive workforce to dominate their competitors.
- AI can bring about many small catastrophes if used unimaginatively or for surveillance and layoffs, but if used correctly, it can create local victories, making previously tedious or useless work productive and empowering.