The author also argues that while AI may create new jobs, it could also lead to a decline in job quality and an increase in inequality. This is based on the historical example of the Industrial Revolution, which, while not causing a net job loss, led to the creation of some of the worst jobs in human history. The author warns that if AI continues to be deployed without input from workers, it could result in similar outcomes.
Key takeaways:
- AI could potentially level the workforce, making less skilled workers more productive, but this could also devalue the work of highly skilled workers.
- Historical parallels can be drawn with the Luddite rebellion of the early 1800s, when skilled clothworkers were replaced by machines and cheaper labor.
- AI is often sold as a labor-saving and cost-cutting tool, but this could lead to the erosion of job quality and increased inequality.
- The author suggests that the net impact of AI, if not managed properly, could be similar to the Industrial Revolution, where new jobs created were often worse than those lost.