SOS to France: Initiating Global Action on AI’s Impact on the Workforce
In recent months, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has made headlines around the world, sparking both excitement and alarm. AI promises groundbreaking innovations in industries ranging from healthcare to transportation, but beneath these possibilities lies an urgent reality: AI, if left unchecked, could have devastating consequences on the global workforce.
As AI tools like Sora by OpenAI and Meta's recently announced Movie Gen inch closer to public release, we are on the verge of a revolution that could reshape entire industries. From automating the creative process in film production to replacing jobs in marketing, AI’s reach is broad, and its potential for disruption is enormous. The cinematography industry alone stands at a crossroads, where cutting-edge AI could drive costs down, but at the expense of millions of skilled workers who have spent decades mastering their craft.
Faced with these imminent challenges, I’ve sent an SOS to President Emmanuel Macron of France, urging him to take a leadership role in addressing the global economic threat posed by artificial intelligence. France has long been a champion of workers' rights, and with its position on the global stage, it has the power to bring this issue to the attention of world leaders before it’s too late.
The Global Workforce at Risk
Artificial intelligence is rapidly disrupting industries, and its impact is already being felt across sectors like manufacturing, technology, and content creation. But now, AI-generated tools, particularly in the creative industries, could lead to massive unemployment on a global scale. According to my research, the U.S. alone has over 2.7 million jobs tied to video content creation, representing $242 billion in wages annually. AI-powered tools, such as text-to-video generators like Sora and Movie Gen, are set to disrupt these roles by dramatically reducing the cost of production while eliminating the need for human labor.
This issue is not just confined to the U.S. In fact, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently warned that AI could hit the labor market like a "tsunami," potentially disrupting 40% of jobs worldwide, and as much as 60% in developed countries like the United States. The implications of this upheaval are staggering. Left unregulated, AI could further exacerbate global inequalities by wiping out entire sectors, leading to economic collapse in industries ranging from cinematography to advertising.
France’s Role in Leading Global Action
As we stand at the edge of this technological tipping point, I believe France is uniquely positioned to take a leadership role in advocating for responsible AI use. With a history of protecting workers' rights and a strong influence in international affairs, France can initiate conversations within the United Nations, calling for global cooperation to regulate the implementation of AI. The risks are too great for any single country to tackle alone—this is a global crisis that requires a coordinated, multinational response.
My call to President Macron outlined several key actions that could help mitigate AI's impact on the workforce:
Global AI Regulation: Governments around the world must come together to regulate the development and application of AI, especially in industries where human labor is most vulnerable. Introducing limits on AI's role in content creation, marketing, and production could help preserve millions of jobs while ensuring AI complements rather than replaces human labor.
Workforce Upskilling: To prepare for the future, nations must invest in reskilling programs that equip workers with the tools they need to thrive alongside AI. It’s essential that we build an infrastructure that allows humans to work in tandem with technology, rather than be displaced by it.
Industry Caps on AI Use: Governments could set limits on how much AI can replace manual labor in fields like film production, ensuring that skilled professionals continue to play a role in the creative process.
AI Taxation: Companies that heavily rely on AI should be taxed at higher rates, with the revenue being used to fund reskilling initiatives and social safety nets for workers who have been displaced by automation.
The Time for Action Is Now
We cannot wait for the AI “tsunami” to hit before we act. The consequences of inaction are too dire to ignore. Already, we’ve seen the devastating impact of automation on industries like manufacturing and technology, where workers have been displaced in droves. But AI’s growing ability to replicate human creativity represents a new frontier—one that could fundamentally reshape industries we once thought immune to technological disruption.
By raising the alarm now, we have the opportunity to shape the future of AI in a way that benefits humanity rather than devastates livelihoods. France’s leadership in this area is crucial. If we are to prevent a global economic crisis, it is imperative that we establish international regulations that protect workers, while embracing AI responsibly.
Conclusion: A Call for Global Solidarity
As AI technologies continue to evolve, the potential for economic and social upheaval grows. The creative industry, including Hollywood, stands as a stark example of what lies ahead if we fail to act. But the potential damage is not confined to the entertainment sector—it will ripple through economies across the globe.
I urge world leaders, particularly President Macron, to take this issue seriously and to push for global cooperation on regulating AI. This is not just a U.S. issue; the livelihoods of millions worldwide depend on how we navigate this technological revolution. The tools are already here—now is the time to decide how we will use them.
The world is watching, and time is running out. The future of the global workforce depends on the actions we take today.
For more details on my research findings and the impact of AI on the workforce, you can visit the following link: Is the End of Hollywood Movies Upon Us Because of AI?.
Let’s take this opportunity to ensure that AI technology enhances the human experience rather than erasing it.
Follow-up letter to the office of Emmanuel Macron
Subject: Urgent Appeal for Global Action on the Threat of AI to Industries and Workers' Rights
Dear President Emmanuel Macron,
I am writing to bring to your attention the immediate and severe risk that artificial intelligence (AI) poses to entire industries and their workers—both in the U.S. and globally. My research, supported by data analytics, reveals that AI technologies, particularly in sectors like cinematography and content creation, are on the verge of displacing millions of jobs, with catastrophic economic and societal consequences. The unchecked rise of AI-generated tools, such as Sora by OpenAI and the newly announced Movie Gen by Meta, formerly known as Facebook, underscores the urgency of intervention.
The Economic Impact: Cinematography at Risk
As of January 2024, the motion picture and sound recording industries in the U.S. employed around 441,700 people. However, the true scale of those dependent on video content creation stretches far wider, with over 2.7 million jobs across related industries, representing $242 billion in wages annually. This workforce includes pre-production, production, and post-production roles that are now threatened by AI’s rapid advances.
For instance, tools like Sora can generate a one-minute film trailer for just $745, and entire films for under $100,000—costs that would be unfathomable under traditional filmmaking models. The result? A massive displacement of the skilled professionals who have spent decades building their craft, threatening to destabilize industries and economies alike.
IMF’s Dire Warnings
The unchecked rise of AI-generated tools, such as Sora by OpenAI and the newly announced Movie Gen by Meta, formerly known as Facebook, underscores the urgency of intervention. This potential upheaval is not just speculation; the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has already sounded the alarm. In January 2024, Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF, warned that AI will hit the labor market like a “tsunami,” leaving little time for economies and workers to adjust. My findings align with this, particularly in the creative sector, where AI could displace thousands, if not millions, of workers if artificial intelligence is left unregulated. The IMF further warns that AI could disrupt up to 40% of jobs worldwide, and as much as 60% in developed countries like the United States, exacerbating inequalities.
In light of these warnings from earlier this year, it is clear that with the imminent release of these powerful tools, immediate action is necessary to safeguard both national and global economic stability. Without intervention, their release could lead to economic collapse in key sectors, including the global cinematography industry, with severe ripple effects on the broader economy.
The Case for Immediate Global Intervention
As a leader with a strong track record of advocating for workers’ rights and responsible innovation, I believe France can play a pivotal role in addressing this issue at the international level. I propose that you lead an initiative within the United Nations to:
Regulate AI Development and Use: Global regulations should limit the extent to which AI-generated content can replace human labor in industries such as film, media, and marketing.
Establish Workforce Reskilling Programs: Nations must invest in upskilling their workers, ensuring that employees have the tools to transition into roles that complement AI rather than compete with it.
Set Industry Caps on AI Use: Governments should introduce industry-wide limits on how much AI can replace manual labor, particularly in creative sectors.
AI Implementation Taxation: Introduce higher taxes on large corporations that excessively use AI at the expense of human labor, and redirect these funds into workforce reskilling initiatives and social safety nets for displaced workers.
A Call for Leadership and Action
Mr. President, we are at a critical juncture. Sora and Movie Gen, though not yet released to the public, will soon disrupt the global economy. If these tools are allowed to operate without regulation, we could see millions of jobs vanish, particularly in creative industries like cinematography. The livelihood of workers, not just in the U.S., but across the world, is at stake.
France has the unique opportunity to take the lead on this issue, putting pressure on the United States and other major economies to implement regulatory measures that protect workers' rights. By doing so, you will not only safeguard jobs but also foster an environment where AI and human creativity can coexist responsibly.
I urge you to bring this issue to the global stage before it’s too late. The future of millions of workers, and the stability of entire industries, depends on the actions we take now.
For more details on my research findings, you can visit the following link here.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I remain hopeful that under your leadership, we can address this crisis together.
Sincerely,
Kevin Bihan-Poudec
Advocate for Ethical AI and Workforce Preservation
Voice For Change Foundation
