AI and Jobs: How to Make AI Work With Us, Not Against Us With Daron Acemoglu
May 9, 2024
auto_awesome
Economist Daron Acemoglu discusses AI's potential impact on jobs, emphasizing the need for a human-centric approach. Topics include historical technology shifts, worker rights, and balancing AI innovation for mutual benefit. The conversation explores AI's effects on society, productivity, and the importance of regulating AI development for positive outcomes.
Economic stability fosters societal well-being through cooperation and confidence.
AI development should prioritize human-complementary skills to enhance productivity without displacing workers.
Deep dives
Importance of Economy's Impact on Society
The podcast delves into the crucial relationship between society's well-being and the functioning of the economy. A well-performing economy instills confidence, creates stability, and fosters cooperation, while a struggling economy leads to pessimism and resentment. The discussion highlights how voters often prioritize economic prospects when choosing leaders.
Historical Insights on Technology's Impact
Guest Daron Acemoglu discusses historical examples like the British Industrial Revolution, emphasizing that technological progress doesn't always benefit workers immediately. The conversation highlights that early gains in efficiency did not lead to widespread benefits due to power differentials and lack of worker rights.
Human Complementarity in AI Development
The conversation stresses the importance of AI being developed in a way that complements human skills, rather than solely focusing on automation. The principles discussed advocate for steering incentives towards rewarding meaningful and rewarding work for a broader range of individuals, enhancing productivity without displacing workers.
Regulatory Frameworks for AI Ethics
The need for effective regulation and democratic control of AI technology is emphasized to ensure positive outcomes and prevent misuse. The discussion highlights the potential for regulatory tools to steer technological progress towards socially desirable objectives, balancing innovation with ethical considerations.
Tech companies say that AI will lead to massive economic productivity gains. But as we know from the first digital revolution, that’s not what happened. Can we do better this time around?
Can we Have Pro-Worker AI? Professor Acemoglu co-authored this paper about redirecting AI development onto the human-complementary path
Rethinking Capitalism: In Conversation with Daron Acemoglu The Wheeler Institute for Business and Development hosted Professor Acemoglu to examine how technology affects the distribution and growth of resources while being shaped by economic and social incentives