The enduring consequences of artificial intelligence represent a subject of intense discussion within Silicon Valley. Nvidia chief executive officer Jensen Huang forecasts that all occupations will undergo alteration, potentially resulting in a four-day employment schedule. Additional prominent figures in technology express even more extreme viewpoints: Bill Gates asserts that humanity might soon become obsolete “for most things,” and Elon Musk is convinced that the majority of people will be freed from labor in “less than 20 years.”
TL;DR
- Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang predicts AI will alter all jobs, possibly leading to four-day workweeks.
- Bill Gates and Elon Musk foresee humanity becoming obsolete or freed from labor soon.
- Geoffrey Hinton, "Godfather of AI," warns of massive unemployment and economic reorganization due to AI.
- Bernie Sanders estimates 100 million American jobs are at risk from AI automation.
Although those forecasts may seem far-fetched, they are not only conceivable but probable, according to Geoffrey Hinton, the British computer scientist widely recognized as the “Godfather of AI.” He cautioned that the shift could instigate a profound economic reorganization, potentially displacing countless employees.
“It seems very likely to a large number of people that we will get massive unemployment caused by AI,” Hinton said in a recent discussion with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) at Georgetown University.
“And if you ask where are these guys going to get the roughly trillion dollars they’re investing in data centers and chips… one of the main sources of money is going to be by selling people AI that will do the work of workers much cheaper. And so these guys are really betting on AI replacing a lot of workers.”
Hinton has become more outspoken regarding his concerns about Big Tech's skewed objectives. He believes the sector, as recently told Coins2Day, prioritizes immediate financial gains over genuine scientific advancement, which consequently encourages the adoption of less expensive AI solutions to substitute human employees.
His cautions are issued as the economics of AI face new scrutiny. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, isn’t expected to turn a profit for a period extending to at least 2030 and could require over $207 billion to fuel its expansion, based on HSBC's projections.
The trajectory of artificial intelligence remains obscured by uncertainty.
Hinton's transition from a prominent figure in AI to a vocal detractor highlights the significant implications of the advancements he contributed to. Following his departure from his Google role in 2023 to openly discuss AI's dangers, he has emerged as a leading voice among doubters. His groundbreaking contributions to machine learning were recognized with The Nobel Prize in the preceding year.
He further recognized that artificial intelligence will generate fresh employment opportunities, as many tech leaders predict. Nevertheless, he stated that he doesn't anticipate the volume of emerging positions to match those that are phased out. Despite this, he advised that all forecasts—including his personal ones—ought to be approached with considerable doubt.
“Trying to predict the future of it is going to be very difficult,” he told Sanders. “It’s a bit like when you drive in fog. You can see clearly for 100 yards and at 200 yards you can see nothing. Well, we can see clearly for a year or two, but 10 years out, we have no idea what’s going to happen.”
What is clear, however, is that AI isn’t going away, and experts say workers who adapt—and use the technology to amplify their skills—will stand the best chance of navigating the coming upheaval.
Bernie Sanders has cautioned that 100 million jobs face potential jeopardy.
Sanders has endeavored to put a number on the potential consequences. In a report released in October—drawing in part on figures produced by ChatGPT—he cautioned that approximately 100 million American jobs might be eliminated due to automation. Those employed in fast food, customer support, and physical labor confront some of the greatest dangers, yet professional positions in accounting, programming, and healthcare could also experience substantial reductions.
“It’s not just economics,” Sanders wrote in an op-ed for Fox News. “Work, whether being a janitor or a brain surgeon, is an integral part of being human. The vast majority of people want to be productive members of society and contribute to their communities. What happens when that vital aspect of human existence is removed from our lives?”
Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) has voiced comparable concerns, cautioning that the upheaval might impact younger demographics most severely, possibly escalating joblessness for recent university completers to a peak of 25% within the upcoming two to three years.
“Let’s look at the fact we never did anything on social media,” Warner told CNBC. “If we make that same response on AI and don’t put guardrails, I think we will come to rue that day.”
