A message to my daughters: Don’t get left behind
By now, you’ve heard from your professors about their AI policies. Perhaps you’ve also heard that AI is destroying the college experience, or that AI might cause the extinction of the human race. Or maybe AI will cure all cancers, end global poverty, and deliver superintelligence for everyone.
TL;DR
- Widespread discourse on AI ranges from existential threats to utopian promises, leading to fear and apprehension.
- Historically, major technological advancements, despite initial fears of job loss, have resulted in rising productivity, new job categories, and economic growth.
- The transition from agrarian societies to industrialized ones displaced many farming jobs but ultimately led to greater overall employment and improved quality of life.
- New roles, such as social media influencers, were unimaginable in previous generations, demonstrating the unpredictable emergence of new professions.
- AI is expected to follow a similar pattern: some jobs will disappear, most will transform, and many new, unimagined jobs will emerge.
- Individuals who engage with and learn to use new technologies are best positioned to shape them and benefit from them.
- The author's company, Serve Robotics, exemplifies how robotics creates human jobs in areas like maintenance, operations, and technical support, offering better conditions than some displaced gig work.
- Young people are urged not to let hype or fear deter them from learning about and participating in the development and application of AI.