Universal Basic Income: The Key to Surviving AI Job Takeover? OpenAI’s Sam Altman and AI ‘Godfather’ Geoffrey Hinton Weigh In

Will AI’s impact on employment lead to lawlessness? Could these impacts be mitigated by Universal Basic Income? OpenAI’s Sam Altman and AI ‘Godfather’ Geoffrey Hinton express their opinions.

AI’s Impact on Jobs: Hinton’s Concerns

Geoffrey Hinton, often referred to as the “godfather” of Artificial Intelligence (AI), has expressed significant concern about AI’s potential to eliminate numerous mundane jobs. While acknowledging that AI will boost productivity and generate wealth, Hinton warned that this technological advancement could exacerbate income inequality. He proposed the idea of universal basic income (UBI) as a solution, a concept he shared with advisors at Downing Street. Hinton emphasised that without measures like UBI, the economic disparities could severely harm society.

The Threat of AI: A Cautious Approach

Hinton advocated for a more cautious approach to AI development, highlighting the potential dangers of AI advancements. He warned that within the next 5 to 20 years, AI could pose an “extinction-level threat” to humanity if not managed properly. This perspective underscores the urgent need for responsible AI governance to mitigate potential risks associated with rapid technological progress.

Altman’s Vision: Socioeconomic Shifts

Echoing Hinton’s concerns, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is exploring innovative approaches to UBI, such as distributing shares of future large language models like GPT-7. Altman stressed the profound socioeconomic changes AI could bring, noting that while GPT-4 had a minimal immediate economic impact, future models might significantly disrupt the economy. Altman warned against underestimating these potential impacts, advocating for serious consideration of AI’s long-term effects on society.

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