The AI Iceberg: Confronting Imminent Workforce Disruptions - Final Part
The AI Iceberg: Confronting imminent workforce disruptions | Final Part
Urgent Query to Congress: What's the Plan for AI-Driven Job Loss? Congress Response: “There Is No Plan." | Part III
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Houston, We Have a Problem: Unveiling Challenges in My Latest Chat with a U.S. Congress Member | Part Deux
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Breaking Barriers: First-Time Chat With a U.S. Congress Member | Part One
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Introduction
In an impactful dialogue with a U.S. Congress member, I recounted my strategic proposal to another influential politician, detailing how artificial intelligence (AI) could be harnessed to address pressing societal issues. The discussion with the Congress member explored the profound implications of AI on the workforce and society, underscoring a critical need for ethical oversight and proactive governance.
Strategic Proposal to Leverage AI
During my conversation with the Congress member, I shared insights from a previous discussion that I had recently with the office of Representative Mike Levin, where I proposed using AI to enhance initiatives on global warming, sustainable energy, and veterans' support. By applying my decade-long data analytics expertise, I suggested that AI could free up significant time for politicians to engage more directly with constituents, thereby increasing their effectiveness and public approval.
AI's Impact: A Double-Edged Sword
The conversation expanded to the broader ramifications of AI, reflecting on insights from cultural commentators like Jon Stewart, who critically views AI's promise of utopia against its potential to displace jobs. This narrative resonates deeply, especially considering recent strikes in Hollywood where professionals contended with AI's threat to their careers.
The Titanic Metaphor: A Warning from History
Echoing the tragic oversight of the Titanic's crew, I emphasized our advantage: we foresee the iceberg. This foresight obliges us to act decisively to avoid repeating historical mistakes. The metaphor highlights the need for immediate action to navigate safely through the impending challenges posed by AI.
Governmental Responsibility
Our discussion highlighted the essential role of government in regulating AI. With tech CEOs pushing boundaries, often unchecked, it is imperative for governmental bodies to enforce regulations that protect citizens and ensure ethical AI deployment.
A Global Perspective on Ethical AI
Contrasting U.S. policies with European approaches revealed significant differences. Europe's cautious, ethically informed strategy involves collaborative discussions with the private sector, ensuring a balanced approach to AI integration. This model presents a viable path for the U.S. to consider, potentially preventing severe socio-economic consequences.
Meteor Metaphor: "Don't Look Up"
Drawing from the metaphor in "Don't Look Up," I likened AI's unchecked advancement to a meteor hurtling towards Earth—a clear and present danger. The film’s narrative about global destruction parallels the disruptive potential of AI, underscoring the urgency of cohesive and immediate action.
Legislative Hope and Reflections
The prospect of Senate Bill 1047 offers a hopeful pathway by proposing regulations that hold companies accountable for AI's societal impact. This could foster the creation of reskilling programs financed by penalties imposed on non-compliant entities.
Conclusion: A Call to Unified Action
Reflecting on the conversation, the absence of a comprehensive action plan became evident. Motivated by personal experiences and the broader implications for society, I am compelled to advocate for those displaced by AI. My planned outreach to every Congress member aims to catalyze awareness and action, ensuring that AI serves humanity positively.
The Urgency of Now
In closing, the conversation and my reflections bring to mind Al Gore's warnings about reaching a "point of no return." The parallel fight against AI's overreach mirrors the broader struggle to maintain our human values and democratic foundations. By coming together, raising our voices, and engaging with policymakers, we can influence the trajectory of AI development, ensuring it benefits rather than undermines society. Let's mobilize to make a meaningful impact, advocating for a future where technology uplifts humanity across all sectors of life.
Meeting former Vice President of the United States of America, Al Gore, on his mission to combat climate change and reverse carbon emissions, at a conference in Houston, TX, on October 30th, 2017, aimed at halting the environmental crisis before reaching the point of no return. Seven years later, Kevin Bihan-Poudec, now a Data Analyst, continues his own journey, leveraging his expertise in artificial intelligence and data analytics to address the pressing challenges of automation, job displacement, and the urgent need for workforce reskilling in the face of rapid technological advancements.
The conversation concluded with a somewhat unsettling revelation. Initially, during our discussion, I brought up the movie "Don't Look Up" as a metaphor for the impending crisis posed by unregulated AI advancements. At that moment, the member of the U.S. Congress assured me that he had not seen the film. However, shortly after our call ended, I received a text from him clarifying that he had indeed seen the movie. This sudden shift left me reflecting on the accuracy and transparency of our communication, raising questions about the reliability of our exchanges and the broader implications this might have for addressing such critical issues effectively.
Kevin:
Thank you so much for your time U.S. Congress member. Even though it doesn’t sound like much would be moving until January 1st of next year, I am not losing hope that one by one, politicians, part of Congress, can be swayed fast enough, in understanding the current and upcoming impacts of artificial intelligence on the workforce for the betterment of the American People. Hope you have a great day ahead and speak soon.
Member of The U.S. Congress: Wonderful talking! I know you’re determined. Don’t give up.
Kevin:
I won't give up. The stakes are too high, impacting every American, including those who may not yet be aware of the alarming rise in job displacement due to AI and automation. I believe I'm part of the initial response to this looming crisis. However, addressing it will require substantial support and intervention. Unlike the passengers of the Titanic who didn't see the iceberg, we have the foresight from experts in the field to address this challenge. Ignoring it, hoping it won't impact us if we don't acknowledge it, is not an option. It's imperative that we act now to mitigate the effects before it's too late.
Kevin:
However, if we collectively choose to ignore the warning signs, pretending the problem doesn't exist, we might not realize the full extent of the crisis until it directly affects us. This is a moment for action, not for looking away. As I recommended, since you haven’t seen it, you should watch the movie “Don't Look Up.” It’s on Netflix.
Member of The U.S. Congress: I did see it. It’s good.
Kevin:
Oh, I must have misunderstood you. When I mentioned the meteor in the movie racing towards Earth at an incredible speed, I saw it as a metaphor for AI. Just like the meteor, AI's rapid growth poses alarming risks, particularly in places like the United States. This contrasts with Europe, where ethical measures on AI are being deployed. The movie's discussion on diverting the meteor with nukes made me think about potential solutions. For instance, what could the U.S. government implement to protect its citizens and also benefit the global community? With America facing potential economic decline from high job displacement, without fast implementation of reskilling programs, the impact could extend beyond the U.S. economy to Global instability and…
Kevin: …could affect Peace Worldwide. We still have time to act, but it's crucial for the government to take immediate steps, not delay until next year when it might be too late to avoid irreversible damage. Consider as an example, OpenAI's tool “Sora,” capable of creating videos from text. If released to the public, it could threaten many jobs in the movie industry, potentially eradicating the entire industry. Could we see the U.S. government establishing a framework to review such tools and assess their workforce impact, similar to efforts in places like India?
The Biden-Harris administration responded to my concerns in a letter from President Joe Biden, dated October 9th, 2024, calling for AI governance and global cooperation in the regulation of artificial intelligence. To this day, AI has yet to be regulated in the United States to mitigate its impact on the workforce.
