Obama and Bannon Raise Concerns About AI and Job Displacement in America
Former President Barack Obama and Steve Bannon both express concerns about AI’s potential to displace white-collar jobs in the US. Obama alerted his followers to articles discussing AI’s likely economic impact, including warnings from AI CEO Dario Amodei about job losses in various sectors. Bannon echoed these sentiments, predicting AI’s significant role in upcoming presidential elections. Experts also highlight government inaction on preparing workers for these technological changes.
Barack Obama and Steve Bannon, despite their differing political backgrounds, are sounding an alarm about artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential impact on American jobs. Over the weekend, Obama directed his vast social media following of nearly 130 million to articles discussing the threat of AI to the workforce. One such piece mentioned Bannon, who echoed concerns over mass job displacement among white-collar workers.
Obama emphasized the urgency of the issue, noting the need to pay attention to AI’s rising influence over jobs, the economy, and everyday life. He quoted a piece from Axios featuring AI startup CEO Dario Amodei, who warned that up to half of all entry-level white-collar jobs could disappear, leading to unemployment rates soaring between 10-20% in the next few years.
Amodei stressed that many jobs in sectors like technology, finance, and consulting are at high risk, especially those aimed at younger workers. Meanwhile, Bannon expressed similar fears, suggesting that AI job losses will likely become a significant topic in the 2028 presidential race. He warned that entry-level positions are vital for workers in their 20s, and the coming changes could be devastating.
Compounding these concerns, experts noted that the U.S. government has been slow to inform workers about the looming risks associated with AI. While Trump has pushed for AI advancements, he has yet to address potential job losses. His proposed “big beautiful bill” promises $500 million to strengthen government applications of AI but limits state regulations affecting its development.
In another article that Obama shared from the New York Times, the phenomenon of AI job losses is already affecting recent graduates in fields like finance and computer science, where rapid technological changes are evident. Obama stated, “Now’s the time for public discussions about how to maximize the benefits and limit the harms of this powerful new technology.”
This isn’t Obama’s first comment on the topic. Earlier this year, he predicted that advanced AI would likely outperform many current coders in productivity, signaling that the threat could extend beyond entry-level positions to even skilled jobs that once seemed secure.
As both figures call for urgent discussion and policy development, it’s clear that the conversation about AI’s role in the job market must happen soon, or many may face uncertain futures.
Original Source: www.usatoday.com
