80,000 Hours Podcast

#161 – Michael Webb on whether AI will soon cause job loss, lower incomes, and higher inequality — or the opposite

247 snips
Aug 23, 2023
In this discussion, economist Michael Webb, known for his work at DeepMind and Stanford, tackles the complex implications of AI on the labor market. He explores whether automation will lead to mass unemployment or economic growth. Webb shares historical insights, revealing how past technologies have impacted job dynamics and inequality. Key topics include the scope of job exposure to AI, how technology can initially widen inequality, and the gradual pace of automation adoption. He also contemplates the entrepreneurial possibilities sparked by AI advancements.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

AI Exposure

  • AI exposure peaks at upper-middle-skilled, high-paid jobs.
  • Lower and highest-paid jobs are less exposed, unlike with robots or software.
ANECDOTE

Foucault Essay Prediction

  • In 2017, DeepMind experts predicted AI couldn't write an undergraduate essay on Foucault for decades.
  • GPT-3 proved them wrong just a few years later, highlighting AI's rapid progress.
INSIGHT

Patent Analysis Methodology

  • Patent analysis is a useful methodology to study AI's labor market impact.
  • Patents offer a forward-looking perspective and capture experts' automation predictions.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app