Can Artificial Intelligence create a Useless Class in society?
In today’s world, it’s likely that almost everyone is aware of the advancements in artificial intelligence.
Human Evolution
Humans have evolved through various stages, the journey to reach homo sapiens-sapiens and subsequently hunter-gatherer to modern society is amazing. In this Human development journey, humans have adopted various skills such as, hunting, use of fire for cooking, use of weapons for hunting, finding shelters to live, developing cultures & societies, etc.
People did most of the work themselves, they did not depend on any other people during this phase of human era, (no import no export)
Before the Industrial Revolution — 150 years ago, most of the people in the world lived on farms. Families lived together in villages and worked on the farms together, making clothes, cutting wood, making all sorts house building-related activities, milking sheep or cows, gathering eggs, etc., by themselves. Work was divided between Men & women as per the tradition settings in different cultures.
People depended for very less needs for their life, relatively less globalization, mainly for spices, textiles, precious metals, silk etc.
Industrial Revolution & Automation
After the Industrial Revolution, people used machines to manufacture cloths, cut the wood, to do farming and to construct the buildings & roads and to make other machines.
The Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on the nature of work and education. High school education became essential for individuals to grasp basic physics principles or language skills needed to perform blue-collar jobs or basic office tasks that emerged during this transformative period.
The introduction of automation in farming led to a significant displacement of agricultural jobs. Fortunately, this shift opened the floodgates to a multitude of manufacturing jobs, ranging from machine design and operation to machine maintenance, as well as various office roles such as accounting, sales, and purchasing. Additionally, the migration of people from rural areas to urban centers became a notable phenomenon, contributing to the construction of cities, buildings, and transportation networks. This period of rapid change and urbanization marked a pivotal moment in human history, reshaping the workforce and educational requirements.
People focused on very specific task, and, they depended on other people for services ranging from house building, metals works, textiles, farming etc. and international trade for goods not produced locally — globalization dinosaur began.
Artificial Intelligence & debate
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly impact society in various ways, including the job market and the distribution of wealth and resources. However, whether AI can create a “Useless Class” in society is a complex and debated topic.
The concept of a “Useless Class” was popularized by Yuval Noah Harari in his book “Homo Deus,” where he discusses the possibility of a future where advanced technologies, including AI, render a significant portion of the population economically and socially irrelevant because their skills and abilities are no longer needed in the job market.
Several factors contribute to the debate around this concept:
1. Automation and Job Displacement: AI and automation technologies can potentially replace certain types of jobs, particularly those that involve routine tasks or are easily automated. This can lead to job displacement for some individuals.
2. Skill and Education Gap: The advancement of AI may create a greater demand for highly skilled workers who can design, maintain, and work alongside AI systems. Those without access to education and training opportunities may struggle to adapt to this changing job landscape.
3. Economic Inequality: The impact of AI on employment and wages can exacerbate existing economic inequalities, as some individuals benefit from AI-related job growth while others experience job loss or wage stagnation.
4. Potential for New Jobs: While AI can automate some jobs, it also has the potential to create new industries and job opportunities in fields related to AI development, data analysis, and more. Whether these opportunities are accessible to all is a separate question.
5. Societal and Policy Responses: How society and policymakers respond to the challenges posed by AI can greatly influence whether a “Useless Class” scenario emerges. Investments in education, workforce development, and social safety nets can mitigate negative effects.
People at the top of the society with power, knowledge & money can make use of AI to automate intellectual and routine tasks, making redundant both Blue Collar and some White Collar jobs
In conclusion, whether AI creates a “Useless Class” in society depends on various factors, including how AI technologies are developed, implemented, and regulated, as well as the efforts made to address potential negative consequences. It is a topic of ongoing debate and study, and the outcome will depend on the choices made by individuals, businesses, and governments in the coming years.
