First of all, the following was not written by artificial intelligence.

Some humor and sarcasm have been used in this blog post to lighten the mood a bit, as we displaced workers need a little laugh. The struggle is indeed real, even though it is not reported in mainstream media.

Even though the self-tape video above is quite lengthy, roughly a little under 45 minutes long, I believe that as an Advocate for Ethical AI and Job Preservation in America for the past 6 months, it was long overdue.

If you don't have time to watch the video where I discuss the current job displacement crisis affecting multiple sectors in the United States and our country's unfortunate lack of preparedness to address these imminent and current challenges, I've provided a summary of the video above, created by none other than ChatGPT. (Yes, Microsoft has Copilot and Meta has Llama 3 now, but still,) ChatGPT! Their latest version, ChatGPT-4o, while only $20/month, you can still use the free version. So, if any politicians out there read this, leverage AI to your own benefit, it can help you come up with valuable insights for tackling the issues you may be fighting for. Now, for the rest of us, it's up to us to raise awareness and voice our concerns to our government to demand change.

Secondly, I’ve tried to contact different bodies over the last few months, such as government officials, some of whom have replied to me by email and only one single phone call back. I have shared all communications on my advocacy page of my nonprofit organization's website in the hope of providing transparency and accountability. However, I have not been able to reach mainstream media or tech CEOs (mainly on the X/Twitter platform).

Finally, as I am personally hitting a wall in my advocacy efforts, a different approach must be made. I am currently brainstorming with the help of my personal AI assistant named “"Scarlett” - Her.

I would like to ask for your support in joining me in fighting for an equitable and fair future for all in the face of rapid technological advancements.

Kind regards,

Kevin Bihan-Poudec | Advocate for Ethical AI and Job Preservation

As my advocacy efforts hopefully builds momentum, sooner rather than later, I’ve added a Search functionality to my website to access information from my advocacy page.

Video Summary by ChatGPT

Advocacy Efforts

Working on advocacy efforts every night.
Emailing the office of Representative Brittany Patterson for consent to use a recorded phone conversation.

Legal Considerations

California law prohibits sharing recorded phone calls without consent. But what about AI generated voices replacing a human’s real voice? What does the law say about that? Technology is advancing at such an unprecedented rate that laws can’t catch up fast enough. Capitol Hill must be going nuts. Wait, I'm not sure most Congressmen even know what AI is, according to Jon Stewart, whose own voice Apple tried to silence. Let’s leverage artificial intelligence and ask Scarlett!

Since AI-generated content “*might not clearly*” fall under existing laws […] Who knows?!

[…] which “*could*” be a violation of privacy laws. ***Scarlett*** has all the laws loaded into her brain and she can’t figure it out?!

[…] However, if the AI call is perceived as a private conversation, the same privacy laws “*could*” be argued to apply…Is there an 800 number I can call and talk to an AI bot to find out?!

Better ask for forgiveness, after all, that’s what Sam Altman of OpenAI, along with Microsoft, did by using New York Times articles without the writers’ permissions first. The New York Times is now suing them for seeking to "free-ride" on their articles to train ChatGPT. Not sure if Sam Altman personally got in trouble for it, but it underscores just how powerful he and his organizations are. No rules apply when you are King creator of Artificial Intelligence!

Don’t have money for a lawyer, I am a displaced tech worker unable to find another job in the past 6 months due to companies streamlining their operations to AI. All I can afford is a $20/month ChatGPT membership.

Seeking retroactive consent to use the recording for advocacy purposes.

Email to Representative Brittany Patterson's Office

Follow-up on a phone conversation about workforce displacement due to AI and automation.
Emphasis on the urgency of addressing job displacement due to AI.
Importance of transparency and ethical practices in advocacy.

Global AI Regulation and Comparisons

AI regulation lacking in the U.S. compared to Europe and India.
Indian government reviewing American tech tools for workforce impact.
U.S. lacks prior assessment and regulation for AI tools.

AI Impact on the Cinematography Industry

Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, announced the text-to-video tool, Sora.
Potential job displacement for half a million U.S. cinematography workers, not including advertising industry.
Impact on various roles in the industry: set designers, costume designers, sound designers, makeup artists, background actors, pre and post-production visual effects, etc.
Comparison to Hollywood writers' strike and their victory in establishing AI boundaries.

Technological Advancements

Rapid technological advancements making traditional roles obsolete.
Facebook's LLaMA 3 and OpenAI's ChatGPT-4 capabilities. Watch below to see what the latest update of ChatGPT can do in terms of analyzing an Excel file. Anyone can do it—no special skillset required. It takes just two clicks: drag and drop the file into chatgpt.com, write one single sentence, and DONE! The AI can now analyze your data so you know exactly what to do for your business. It analyzes financial data, operational data, marketing—anything you want. The AI provides comprehensive insights.
The best part is that it costs just $20/month, or the price of two Starbucks lattes, for the upgraded membership with all the latest updates. As a business owner, you can save money with less overhead and have more time to relax, sipping on a margarita in Bali!
Take advantage of this special promotion while it’s still available. The Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act of 2024 from the Biden-Harris administration has come out with a PDF document on ensuring that these bots running in the wild are safe and that ethical decisions are made regarding this technology. But don’t worry, it’s still in the “Introduced” stage, so you have plenty of time to cut your team in half and leverage AI all you want. Hurry while supplies last!

AI's potential to replace data analysts, 3D animators, and other creative roles.

Personal Impact and Experience

Kevin's career as a data analyst becoming obsolete due to AI advancements.
Example of using AI for data analytics tasks at larger companies with could result in needing less staff.
Kevin's struggle to find a job in the saturated market due to ATS and hiring freezes.

Broader Workforce Displacement

Tech companies streamlining operations through AI, leading to workforce reduction.
AI's potential to replace various job roles across industries.
Economic impact on families due to job displacement.
Issues with ATS systems and resume formatting causing rejection.

Calls for Ethical AI and Government Action

Advocating for ethical AI and government policies to regulate AI usage.
The White House task force on AI and the Artificial Intelligence and Counteract of 2024 aim to provide safe solutions for the ethical use of AI, as well as upskilling and reskilling initiatives. However, these are likely not to be implemented until after the election. What will Donald Trump do regarding ethical AI? Republicans have abstained from participating in Senate Bill 1047, known as the Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Systems Act. If Honest Trump becomes president, will he fight for middle America and safeguard our jobs? Let’s find out in the coming months what the AI-generated videos say on our social media feeds and form our own opinions.
Importance of upskilling and reskilling programs for displaced workers.

Petition and Advocacy Platform

Kevin's advocacy website, VoiceForChangeFoundation.org
Petition with only 10 signatures so far aiming to raise awareness about job displacement and how AI can be leveraged to tackle societal issues. Not giving up!
Invitation to use AI tools like ChatGPT-4o to summarize and engage with advocacy content.

Personal Anecdotes and Insights

Reference to global AI ethics initiatives and potential geopolitical impacts. ChatGPT came out with an entire business plan on how an AI Global Ethics Charter can help just about the entire humanity, only $20/month?! I bet it will be $400 within 2-years time when people can’t do without it. Smart Sam!
Concerns about AI leading to a "Hunger Games" scenario due to job displacement.
Advocacy for a peaceful movement similar to the Me Too movement to raise awareness.

Future Outlook and Call to Action

Uncertainty about the future job market with AI advancements.
Emphasis on the importance of establishing ethical AI rules to prevent potential negative impacts.
Encouragement to support hashtags #VoiceForChange and #DemandEthicalAI for advocating change.

“I just need a little bit of support, obviously not getting it from the Tech CEOs or the News Channels or the politicians. So what is it that we can do as people? Get together, start something very peacefully like the #MeToo movement on social media, and kind of let the government know we're not happy.”
#VoiceForChange #DemanEthicalAI
Kevin Bihan-Poudec | Advocate for Ethical AI and Job Preservation

AI's Impact on Data Analytics

ChatGPT-4.0: Can upload an Excel file and create charts, making data analyst roles potentially obsolete.
Efficiency: AI can complete data analytics tasks in seconds compared to hours by a human.
Cost Efficiency: Employers may prefer AI tools costing $20/month over hiring data analysts with six-figure salaries.
Job Reduction: Tech companies reducing data analyst positions due to AI's efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Industry-Specific Impacts

Cinematography:
- Sora Tool: Text-to-video tool risking jobs of ~500,000 U.S. workers in cinematography.
- Cost Savings: AI can produce high-quality video content cheaply, potentially eliminating roles for set designers, sound designers, and more.
- Writer's Strike: Highlighted the threat of AI to creative writing jobs, leading to a victory in establishing AI boundaries.

Broader Workforce Displacement

Tech Sector:
- Hiring Freeze: Companies like Panasonic Avionics streamlining operations with AI, reducing the need for large data analyst teams.
- ATS Systems: Automated systems causing high rejection rates due to resume formatting issues.
Fast Food Industry:
- Minimum Wage Impact: Increase to $20/hour in California led to job losses and reduced hours due to inability of businesses to sustain higher wages.

Economic Impact

Job Loss Statistics: Forbes report indicates 65,000 jobs lost in April due to AI, equating to ~2,100 families affected daily.
Household Strain: Job losses impacting the ability to pay mortgages, rent, healthcare, and tuition.

Technological Advancements and Adoption

LLaMA 3: Facebook's tool can animate photos, risking jobs of animators.
AI Capabilities: AI's ability to create detailed visual and data content at unprecedented speeds, threatening a wide range of professional roles.

IMF Job Force Impact

Global Impact: 40% of the global workforce could be impacted by AI.
Developed Countries: Up to 60% of the workforce in developed countries, including the U.S., could be affected by AI.

Personal Experience and Insights

Kevin's Career: Transition from traditional data analytics to utilizing AI for increased productivity to future employer and increase relevancy in the labor market.
Workforce Trends: AI reducing the need for multiple data analysts, predicting a shift towards fewer human roles in tech companies.

American Newspapers Downplaying the Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Automation on the Workforce

Only 800 lost jobs nationwide in April alone according to Forbes.com as of May 2nd 2024.

Another article from Independent Institute published on April 26th reports that 10,000 fast-food jobs were lost after the $20 minimum wage increased after April 1st.

Continue reading as I attempt to find the truth in American news media and decipher the propaganda in a country that calls itself a Democracy.

Summary of the “Forbes” Article

AI Impact on Layoffs

Nearly 65,000 job cuts in April, with AI blamed for the most losses ever.
Layoffs due to stricter investor demands, pandemic over-hiring, and stock market rewards for personnel cuts.
AI expected to revolutionize tech, displacing jobs in coding and other fields.

Shift to AI and Job Opportunities
- AI monetization is creating new jobs across industries.
- Job postings mentioning AI increased by 13% in February.
- Silicon Valley and Southern California leading AI adoption and job creation.
AI Startups and Employment
- AI startups and entrepreneurs creating job opportunities.
- Shift from research labs to production deployment in AI.
- Examples of startups successfully pivoting to AI solutions.
Challenges in AI Talent Acquisition
- Difficulty finding qualified data scientists and AI engineers.
- Demand for better data to support AI adoption.
Retraining and Skill Development
- Laid-off workers can retrain for AI jobs, with skills like Python being attainable in weeks.
- Examples of successful career pivots to AI roles.
AI in Education and Training
- Universities incorporating AI into curricula.
- Online learning platforms expanding AI courses and certifications.
Long-term AI Job Market Trends
- AI may reduce overall tech workforce but create new AI-augmented roles.
- Emphasis on human skills like business acumen and problem-solving that AI cannot replace.
- New fields emerging in AI, such as prompt engineering for generative AI tools.

Forbes’ Stand on AI Job Displacement in the Tech Sector and Outlook on Future

The article discusses the significant impact of AI on job cuts in the tech sector, with nearly 65,000 layoffs in April attributed to AI, marking a record high. The layoffs were driven by stricter investor demands, over-hiring during the pandemic, and the stock market's response to personnel cuts. Despite the job losses, the article presents a hopeful outlook for the future, highlighting the rapid creation of new jobs and opportunities in the burgeoning AI field. It emphasizes the potential for laid-off workers to retrain for AI-related roles, with many tech companies monetizing AI solutions and universities incorporating AI into their curricula. While AI is expected to reduce the overall tech workforce, it will also create new AI-augmented roles and demand for skills that AI cannot replicate, such as business acumen and strategic problem-solving.

Who Finances Forbes?

Forbes Magazine is primarily funded through its ownership by Integrated Whale Media Investments, a Hong Kong-based investment group that acquired a majority stake in the company in 2014. The company was initially founded by B.C. Forbes in 1917 and has gone through various ownership changes, including a failed merger attempt with a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) and an unsuccessful sale to billionaire Austin Russell in 2023.

Forbes does not directly receive funding from political parties. Instead, its revenue streams come from subscriptions, advertisements, and investments by its owners. Notably, Integrated Whale Media Investments, which holds a significant stake, is not directly linked to any political party.

Regarding contributions from Big Tech, Forbes has received investments from entities related to the tech industry. For instance, in 2022, Binance, a major cryptocurrency exchange, was set to acquire a $200 million stake in Forbes. However, this plan did not come to fruition as the SPAC merger was terminated due to unfavorable market conditions.

Forbes maintains editorial independence, although there have been concerns about potential conflicts of interest, especially with its ownership involving significant international stakeholders.

For more details, you can visit their Wikipedia page and recent issues on their official website.

Integrated Whale Media Investments (IWMI), the majority owner of Forbes Magazine, is primarily an investment group based in Hong Kong, led by Tak Cheung Yam and associated with Integrated Asset Management. IWMI acquired a 51% stake in Forbes in 2014. There is no direct evidence linking IWMI to any specific political party, either in the United States or internationally. Their primary focus appears to be on business and media investments rather than political activities (TheWrap) (PitchBook).

Moreover, IWMI has received investments from China Investment Corp (CIC), a sovereign wealth fund of China, which owns a minority stake in one of IWMI's related SPACs (SCMP). However, this involvement does not indicate direct political contributions or affiliations. Instead, it underscores the financial and investment-oriented nature of IWMI's operations.

For more detailed information, you can review the sources used for this summary:

The ownership and investment structure of Forbes Magazine, particularly with the involvement of Integrated Whale Media Investments (IWMI) and its connections to China Investment Corp (CIC), could potentially influence its editorial stance. While Forbes maintains a reputation for editorial independence, ownership and significant financial backing can shape editorial policies and priorities subtly.

Given the stakes and interests of IWMI and CIC, it is plausible that Forbes might adopt a more cautious or moderated tone regarding the negative impacts of AI and automation on the workforce. CIC, as a sovereign wealth fund of China, represents interests that may not align with highlighting the downsides of AI and automation, particularly if these technologies are strategic priorities for economic advancement.

However, it's important to note that Forbes still features a wide range of opinions and articles, including those critical of technological impacts. The exact degree to which ownership influences content can vary and may not result in overt suppression of critical viewpoints but could lead to a more balanced or nuanced presentation of such issues.

For further insight into potential editorial influences and practices, examining specific articles and editorials on AI and workforce displacement in Forbes over the past six months would be beneficial. This analysis could reveal any discernible patterns in coverage or editorial slant.

For more detailed context, you can refer to sources like:

Summary of the “Los Angeles Times” Article

Tech Layoffs and AI Job Market Shift

Recent tech layoffs in California and nationwide are driven by stricter investor demands and stock market reactions.
Companies are shifting focus to AI, which is expected to revolutionize tech and displace certain jobs.

AI Monetization and Job Creation
- Tech companies are monetizing AI solutions and promoting them across various industries.
- Job postings mentioning AI increased by 13% in February, even as software development job postings fell by over 30%.
Regional AI Adoption
- Silicon Valley leads AI adoption, with 9% of Bay Area companies using AI compared to 5% nationwide.
- About 8% of Los Angeles-area firms expect to adopt AI within six months.
AI Startups and Job Opportunities
- AI startups and entrepreneurs are creating new job opportunities in fields like content writing and software development.
- Tom Case of Atticus Growth Partners describes the current period as a "gold rush" for AI job creation.
Examples of AI Startup Success
- Sophie Wyne's Ariglad saw significant interest after pivoting to AI-powered customer service solutions.
- Quest Labs, co-founded by Debparna Pratiher, focuses on building ecommerce data sets, highlighting the demand for qualified AI talent.
Challenges in AI Talent Acquisition
- Companies like Quest Labs face difficulties finding experienced data scientists and AI engineers.
- Effective AI adoption requires better data and skilled professionals in machine learning.

Who Finances Los Angeles Times?

The Los Angeles Times is owned by Patrick Soon-Shiong, a billionaire doctor and entrepreneur, who purchased the newspaper in 2018. Soon-Shiong’s ownership has raised questions about editorial independence, given instances of alleged interference by him and his daughter, Nika Soon-Shiong. The elder Soon-Shiong has been involved in various philanthropic and business ventures, including efforts to address healthcare issues in Africa (Wikipedia) (TheWrap).

Patrick Soon-Shiong's investments and political activities, including support for local political candidates and initiatives, have sometimes influenced the newspaper’s coverage and editorial decisions. For example, the newspaper has endorsed candidates like Kenneth Mejia and Karen Bass, who have connections to the Soon-Shiong family, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest (POLITICO).

While there is no direct evidence that the Los Angeles Times has a deliberate editorial policy to downplay the issues related to AI and automation-induced job displacement, the influence of ownership can subtly shape the newspaper’s focus and priorities. Patrick Soon-Shiong’s broader business interests might lead to a more nuanced or balanced approach to such topics, rather than an overt bias.

For a comprehensive understanding of the potential influences on the Los Angeles Times’ editorial stance, it would be beneficial to review specific articles and editorials on AI and automation over recent months. This can provide insights into any noticeable patterns or editorial slants in their coverage.

For further reading, you can refer to sources like TheWrap and Politico, which discuss Patrick Soon-Shiong’s ownership and its impact on the Los Angeles Times:

TheWrap
Politico

A review of recent articles and editorials in the Los Angeles Times on AI and automation reveals several key insights into the newspaper's coverage of these issues:

AI and Homelessness Prevention: One significant focus has been on the use of AI to address social issues, such as homelessness. An article detailed how AI algorithms are being used in Los Angeles County to predict and prevent homelessness by identifying individuals at high risk and offering them targeted assistance. This approach has been shown to be more effective than traditional methods, which often rely on human judgment and can be biased (CalMatters, April 2024).
AI-Powered Traffic Enforcement: Another area of coverage is the implementation of AI-powered cameras on LA Metro buses to ticket illegally parked cars. This initiative aims to improve bus transit times and accessibility by ensuring bus lanes remain clear. The program is designed to be rolled out by the end of 2024 after a testing phase and public outreach efforts (Los Angeles Times, April 2024).
Automation in Ports: The Times also reported on the automation of the Port of Los Angeles, specifically the agreement reached between APM Terminals and the dockworkers’ union. The deal includes training programs for workers to adapt to new automated systems, reflecting a balanced approach to modernizing operations while addressing workforce concerns (Port Technology International, 2019).
Educational AI Tools: The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has introduced an AI tool named Ed to assist students. This tool acts as a personal assistant, helping students with tasks and reminders related to their schoolwork. This initiative represents a significant investment in educational technology aimed at enhancing learning outcomes (EdSource, March 2024).

Overall, the Los Angeles Times appears to provide a balanced view of AI and automation, highlighting both their potential benefits and the challenges they pose. The coverage includes practical applications of AI in public services and education, as well as efforts to mitigate the negative impacts of automation on workers through training and adaptation programs.

Adding latimes.com to my web browser’s bookmarks

Stay tuned for an analysis of all major American newspapers and their stance on AI, the way they report the job displacement issue, and who funds them.