A Call for Urgent Action on AI and Employment
Engaging with Legislation: A Citizen's Approach to Addressing AI's Disruption
In a recent and compelling email to Senator Richard Blumenthal, Kevin Bihan-Poudec, founder of the Voice For Change Foundation, voiced a critical concern that is echoing through the corridors of both industry and government. The topic at hand is the profound impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the labor market—a subject that demands both attention and immediate action.
The Heart of the Matter
Kevin's email does more than just seek answers; it sparks a vital conversation on the various dimensions of AI's influence on employment. With rapid advancements in AI technology, as seen with Meta’s Llama 3 and the anticipated release of Sam Altman’s "Sora," there is a tangible anxiety surrounding the future of jobs, especially in the animation and film industries.
The email outlines a comprehensive set of questions aimed at uncovering the legislative and practical measures that can be taken to mitigate the effects of AI on employment. These questions cover a wide range of concerns:
Sector-specific risks: Which job sectors are most vulnerable, and what are the preventative strategies?
Re-skilling initiatives: What programs are in place to help displaced workers transition to new industries?
Regulatory measures: How is the deployment of AI being regulated to protect jobs?
Positive uses of AI in workforce development: How can AI actually create job opportunities?
Impact studies: Is there a systematic approach to studying and understanding the long-term effects of AI on jobs?
International collaboration: How is the U.S. working with other nations to address these global challenges?
A Plea for Timeliness and Action
What makes Kevin’s outreach particularly poignant is his emphasis on the urgency of legislative action. With the Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act of 2024 on the horizon and the slow pace of policy-making—an inherent issue in election years—the need for quick, decisive action becomes even more pronounced. Kevin's call for a 30, 60, 90-day action plan reflects a pragmatic approach to governance, one that recognizes the rapid pace at which AI technologies evolve and permeate our economic fabric.
Why This Matters
Kevin's proactive stance exemplifies how individuals and organizations can engage with and influence public policy. It’s a demonstration of civic engagement that goes beyond mere commentary, moving towards impactful advocacy. This is especially critical in areas like AI, where the stakes—namely the potential displacement of up to 60% of the U.S. workforce—are exceptionally high.
Looking Forward
As we await Senator Blumenthal’s response, this correspondence serves as an urgent call to all stakeholders in the AI and technology sectors to prioritize human welfare in the rush to innovate. For policymakers, industry leaders, and the public, it is a reminder that the time to shape the future of our workforce is now—not when the technologies that could disrupt millions of lives are fully realized.
Kevin Bihan-Poudec's initiative is a proactive approach for all advocating for thoughtful, inclusive progress. It’s about ensuring that as we stand on the brink of technological transformation, we do not lose sight of the human elements that sustain our society.
For ongoing discussions on AI and employment, visit VoiceForChangeFoundation.org
Join us in this vital dialogue to ensure that technological advancements enrich not just economies, but also the lives of the people who fuel them.
Content of the email above:
Dear Mr. Bihan-Poudec,
Thank you for contacting me about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). I appreciate hearing from you.
In recent years, the capabilities of AI have advanced far beyond what anyone could have ever imagined — with potential breakthroughs in the fields of medicine, transportation, and more. Though AI shows great promise for the future, we must approach this technology with strong caution. In the wrong set of hands, AI can be harnessed to perpetuate severe harms, ranging from political misinformation to violations of user privacy. I worry that as AI companies rush to release new products and features, these risks will become a reality.
I believe we need to establish firm guidelines regarding the use of AI. We simply cannot sit back and let AI companies self-regulate. Congress must step in and find ways in which companies can safely and responsibly deploy AI. But in doing so, we must also ensure that the United States remains a global leader and innovator in AI technologies.
To that end, I am holding a series of hearings where I have questioned experts from both academia and the private sector on the risks, rewards, and regulatory challenges of AI. To date, I have had the chance to speak with some of the biggest names in AI, including Sam Altman of OpenAI, Dario Amodei of Anthropic, and Brad Smith of Microsoft. There, I asked them about the effects of AI on the labor market, the feasibility of various safety measures such as independent audits and accuracy “score cards,” as well as the possibility of international cooperation in regulating AI. Their valuable insight has brought us one step closer to effectively governing AI technologies.
I have also worked alongside Senator Hawley of Missouri on this matter. Our recently introduced bipartisan framework outlines the objectives we think are essential to AI legislation going forward. This framework calls for an independent AI licensing and oversight body, controls to limit access by foreign adversaries, and more. Senator Hawley and I have also cosponsored a bill, S.1993, to prevent AI companies from claiming liability from Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934. Since the bill’s introduction this June, it has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
As Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, AI technologies fall in my jurisdiction and are of great importance to me. I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind as the Senate considers further legislation regulating the use of AI.
Thank you again for your message. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Richard Blumenthal
United States Senate
Email response below:
Subject: Urgent Follow-Up on AI Impact and Worker Displacement
Email content:
Dear Senator Blumenthal,
Thank you for your detailed response and for shedding light on the legislative efforts surrounding the governance of artificial intelligence technologies. Your commitment to establishing a robust regulatory framework is both noted and deeply appreciated.
I would like to delve deeper into a few areas of concern, particularly regarding the direct effects of AI on the labor market and the specific measures to aid displaced workers. With rapid advancements from tech giants and various industries, such as the recent developments with Meta’s Llama 3 and Sam Altman’s forthcoming “Sora,” the potential for significant disruption in the animation and film industries, respectively, raises urgent questions:
1. Impact on Employment Categories:
Could you elaborate on the different sectors or job categories most at risk from AI advancements, and what preemptive measures are being considered to protect these jobs?
2. Re-skilling Initiatives:
What federal programs or initiatives are being considered or developed to assist workers in transitioning to new roles or industries less likely to be affected by AI automation?
3. Regulatory Measures:
What specific regulatory measures are being considered to ensure that AI deployment in various industries does not lead to significant job displacement without adequate safety nets for affected workers?
4. AI in Workforce Development:
How does the government plan to leverage AI positively in workforce development and job creation? Are there particular sectors where AI might help create more jobs than it displaces?
5. Impact Studies:
Has the government commissioned or do they plan to commission comprehensive studies to better understand AI’s long-term impacts on the labor market across different regions and industries?
6. International Cooperation:
Considering the global nature of technology and labor markets, how is the U.S. collaborating with other nations to manage the employment impacts of AI universally?
7. Immediate Relief for Displaced Workers:
What immediate actions are being considered to provide relief to workers already displaced by AI and automation? How are these measures being tailored to address the needs of affected individuals across different sectors?
8. Comprehensive Impact Studies:
Given the transformative potential of tools like “Sora,” which was announced by Sam Altman himself for release to the public later this year, what steps are being taken to ensure comprehensive impact studies are conducted before their widespread deployment? How can we ensure these studies are thorough and reflect genuine societal impacts?
9. Legislative Timeliness:
With the Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act of 2024 on the horizon and considering the imminent election year challenges, what can be done to expedite legislative actions? Is there a 30, 60, 90-day plan to address these critical issues in the interim?
The urgency of these questions cannot be overstated. As the chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, recently highlighted, AI could affect up to 40% of global employment, with potentially even more severe impacts in advanced economies like ours. The potential for 60% workforce disruption in the United States presents a scenario we cannot afford to ignore.
I am pleading on behalf of all American citizens for decisive, swift action that will safeguard our economic stability and protect our workforce from irreversible damage. Our community, our families, and future generations depend on the choices made during this critical period.
Thank you once again for your dedication to this cause. I look forward to your thoughts on these pressing issues and your continued leadership in ensuring a balanced approach to AI governance that prioritizes human welfare.
Sincerely,
Kevin Bihan-Poudec
Founder | Voice For Change Foundation
info@voiceforchangefoundation.org
