Dario Amodei, CEO of Google and Amazon-supported AI startup Anthropic, which rivals ChatGPT’s parent company OpenAI, has raised concerns about AI’s potential to create economic inequality.
He suggests that while Universal Basic Income (UBI) could help, it might not be enough to address the issue fully.
In a recent interview with Time Magazine, Amodei discussed how AI could impact wealth distribution. He urged the need for a more comprehensive solution to make sure everyone can participate in the economy. Founded in 2021, Anthropic is described by Amodei as a company dedicated to “public benefit.”
He stated that while UBI is better than nothing, it would be dystopian if only a few people earned tremendous wealth while the government distributed it among the rest.
He argued for a world where everyone has the opportunity to contribute economically. He emphasized that tackling this issue requires a collective effort from society, not just the responsibility of a single entity.
As technology advances rapidly, Amodei expressed concerns about needing to find solutions quickly. AI’s role in creating inequality has been a topic of significant discussion in the tech industry.
For instance, Elon Musk predicted a future where AI could make traditional jobs obsolete, requiring a “universal high income” as a solution.
In a conversation with U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Musk suggested that AI would eventually be able to handle all jobs, making employment optional.
Additionally, Geoffrey Hinton, known as the “Godfather of AI,” has also advocated for UBI to mitigate AI-induced job losses. He shared his views with policymakers, suggesting that UBI could address the challenges AI presents to the job market.
These discussions indicate that addressing economic inequality driven by AI is a pressing concern for leaders in the tech industry. They highlight the need for innovative solutions and collective action to ensure that the economic benefits of AI are broadly shared.
