Artificial Intelligence and Labor
Our society has an unjustified inclination towards perceiving Artificial Intelligence
(AI) as a technology that must be feared. The 1968 classic “2001: A Space Odyssey”
translated this fear into the possibility of AI domination. The scene of HAL reading
the astronauts’ lips and then callously murdering Poole inspired further creations
to feature AI as a hazardous technology. However, the distorted portrayal of our
fear and trepidation of the unknown has blinded us from objectivity and logic.
A more likely scenario of AI domination concerns unprecedented scales of
unemployment instigated by AI substitution in the labor market. Though, however
strange it may sound, AI replacement could be the key to self-realization for
modern people. Furthermore, despite its consequences, AI is a technology that can
bring countless benefits to human society. Therefore, instead of condemning AI
per se, we must endeavor to incorporate it beneficially.
Throughout history, humanity has always been subject to labor. The Industrial
Revolution led to drastic increases in production levels and overall wealth, but
neither did it foster equality, nor did it free people from menial labor. Instead,
the Industrial Revolution worsened inequality and deteriorated working conditions
-at least until regulations were imposed. Even nowadays, people barely have a
trickle of time for themselves; consequently, they are stripped of opportunities for
self-realization and confined to the frames of a primitive lifestyle that only
concerns putting bread on the table.
On a positive note, working hours by each worker are on a steady decrease.
Within OECD countries, annual working hours per worker have declined by nearly
70 hours, from 2000 to 2018(OECD). If AI replaces us as an alternative source of
menial labor, we could potentially reduce working hours to the extent that it allows
time for self-development. There may be concerns about whether these extra
hours will be used adequately, but studies in similar areas indicate that they will.
For example, in a project conducted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor,
each participant received approximately $500 per month on a six-month timespan
to help them focus on their job search(MoEL). As a result, job-search related
activities increased by 8.3%, and the average daily time spent on job-searches
increased by 17.2%. Similar projects experimenting on basic income have generally
yielded positive results with people engaging in work more meaningful to them
(Sodha 2017). The results of these projects prove human’s natural tendency to
progress when given the opportunity.
However, we must acknowledge that the outcome, as mentioned earlier, is only
possible given that people no longer have to worry about their livelihoods. AI will
undoubtedly produce extraordinary wealth, but under the current system, it would
only augment existing social inequality. In theory, wealth functions as a ladder
connecting various classes, and individuals are free to climb the social ladder by
accumulating wealth. However, in our society, Capitalism’s original function is
impaired, and what used to be a promising road to success becomes an iron
curtain forever separating class. Likewise, unless there is a fundamental reform on
the current system that ensures equal distribution of wealth, only a handful of
people would benefit from AI. The vast majority will become marginalized, and
social minorities that already have minuscule economic power will sink to the
abyss.
All in all, technologies are entirely neutral, and the thin line dividing so-called
“good technology” and “bad technology” is the way we utilize it. Such is the same
for AI. Even though implementing AI is like setting sail on a sea of doubt, it,
if done correctly, will be praised as the modern equivalent of inventing farming.
Perhaps that could be the reason why we fear it so much. Nevertheless, we must
not let this get in our way but instead confront it, and further utilize it to make
this world a better place.