AI Benefits Must Be Shared to Avoid Resistance, Experts Say

South Korean Labor Minister Kim Young-ho, a former train driver, initiated a dialogue with Oxford University professor Carl Benedikt Frey by drawing a parallel between the industrial revolution's impact on jobs and the potential disruption from artificial intelligence (AI). The conversation, held at the 5th Hankyoreh People and Digital Forum in Seoul, explored how societies can navigate the challenges of technological advancement.

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If the benefits of technological progress are not shared socially, resistance is inevitable.

Frey, an economist specializing in labor market impacts of automation, cautioned that technological progress, if its benefits are not shared broadly, inevitably breeds resistance. He cited historical examples, noting that in the early stages of the industrial revolution, workers who didn't benefit from increased productivity were labeled "enemies of progress." Frey emphasized the need for robust social safety nets, drawing parallels to Britain's Poor Laws and Germany's investment in education and new industries. He also highlighted the role of supporting startups, which are more likely to create new jobs than established companies focused on automation.

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Youth support policies are not merely acts of charity; they are the most certain investment in the nation's future.

"The state's role is crucial in fostering social innovation alongside technological advancement," Kim stated, referencing the rise of the welfare state following the Great Depression. He suggested that the widespread impact of AI on various worker segments could spur demands for better social safety nets, similar to how labor movements have historically pushed for worker protections. Kim also pointed to Sweden's 'transition agreements' between labor and management as a model for helping workers adapt to structural changes in the economy.

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In an era where AI can write letters, you must meet and talk to know if a person wrote it or AI did. The world where relationship skills are more desperately needed will only worsen such a loss.

Both Kim and Frey agreed that AI presents an opportunity to address societal challenges like low birth rates and labor market disruptions. However, Frey expressed concern that AI's influence extends beyond mere productivity tools, potentially exacerbating social isolation through increased screen time and the rise of "AI companionship." This trend, he argued, could lead to a "poverty of social relationships," making essential social skills, like the ability to connect with others, even more critical in an AI-driven future. Kim shared this concern, noting his observations of young people struggling with interpersonal relationships despite finding employment.

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The state's role is crucial in fostering social innovation alongside technological advancement.