Andrew Yang, the former Democratic presidential candidate, has raised concerns about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI) and criticized the government for not adequately preparing for its harmful effects. In an interview with Digital, Yang emphasized that although AI itself is a neutral technology, its use can have both positive and negative consequences.
Yang highlighted several instances of AI being misused for political purposes. He mentioned deepfake videos that manipulate public opinion and fake pictures of terrorist attacks used to manipulate the stock market. He even brought up a robocall impersonating President Biden, urging for a lower turnout. According to Yang, these manipulative tactics could become even more sophisticated, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood.
Yang expressed his concern that both the government and institutions are ill-prepared for the dramatic changes that AI will bring. He pointed out that job losses due to automation are a significant concern, with experts predicting that 27% of jobs in the United States are at high risk of being automated. Another study indicated that 40% of the global workforce will need to re-skill in the next three years as companies integrate AI technology.
The potential impact of job loss is a recurring concern for Yang, who cited the International Monetary Fund’s estimate that around 40% of global jobs could be affected. He stressed that the effects of AI are already evident in politics and called for more proactive measures to address its impact on the labor market.
Democratic Representative Dean Phillips, who is running against President Biden in the primary, has also emphasized the importance of AI. Phillips pledged to establish an AI task force to study its applications and outcomes, underscoring the urgency of preparing for the AI revolution.
Despite these calls for action, Yang criticized the government’s lack of preparation and stressed the need for immediate attention to the potential risks posed by AI. He urged policymakers to prioritize developing strategies to mitigate the negative consequences and ensure the workforce is adequately prepared for the changes brought by AI.
It is evident that AI presents significant challenges that require proactive measures from governments, institutions, and society as a whole. The warnings from Yang and other experts serve as reminders that the impact of AI on various aspects of our lives, including politics and the labor market, cannot be ignored.
