Billionaires' Vision of AI-Driven Job Automation: A Double-Edged Sword

The recent announcements by SoftBank and OpenAI regarding job automation have sparked a conversation about the future of work and the potential impact of AI on the global job market. Masayoshi Son, CEO of SoftBank, and Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, have expressed their optimism about the potential of AI to automate workflows and create new value. However, their views on AI and job automation differ from those of the broader workforce, who have more apprehensions about job displacement and the impact of AI on their livelihoods.

Masayoshi Son believes in the potential of AI to automate workflows and create new value. He plans to invest $3 billion a year in OpenAI products and develop a platform called "Cristal Intelligence" to automate millions of traditionally white-collar workflows. Similarly, Sam Altman sees the potential of AI agents in abstracting work away from humans, as discussed in his onstage chat with Masayoshi Son. However, the broader workforce is more concerned about the potential job displacement and the impact of AI on their livelihoods.

According to a study by the World Economic Forum, the recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid development of automation technology are changing the job market faster than expected. It is estimated that 85 million jobs in 15 industries worldwide will be disrupted over the next five years. Research also shows that the agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, fishery, mining, manufacturing, and construction industries, which are expected to adopt a high level of intelligence, face a high risk of occupational substitution. Older and less educated workers are particularly vulnerable to this risk.



While billionaires like Masayoshi Son and Sam Altman focus more on the potential of AI to create new value and automate workflows, the broader workforce is more concerned about job displacement and the impact of AI on their livelihoods. They are eager to gain AI skills but also worry about AI inaccuracy and cybersecurity risks.

To mitigate the potential economic and social consequences of widespread AI-driven job automation, governments and businesses can take several steps. These include investing in education and training, establishing social safety nets, promoting AI adoption in a responsible manner, and encouraging AI-driven innovation. By taking these steps, governments and businesses can help ensure that the benefits of AI are shared equitably across society.

In conclusion, while billionaires like Masayoshi Son and Sam Altman have a more optimistic view on AI and job automation, focusing on the potential for new value creation and automation, the broader workforce is more concerned about job displacement and the impact of AI on their livelihoods. It is crucial for those guiding AI's deployment to show more concern for the welfare of the workforce to build trust in AI and ensure a smooth transition to an AI-driven job market.