Do You Trust Republicans To Usher Us Into The Era Of AI?

From Automation to Legislation: The Role of Politics in the Age of AI

Apr 30, 2024

The Texas House Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies held its first hearing yesterday. I haven’t had a chance to watch it in its entirety yet, but based on some of the early statements, Republicans are all too anxious to plunge us into a robot dystopia.

Economic inequality is higher in Texas than in most other states, with the wealthiest 5% of households having an average income 14.3 times larger than the bottom 20%. It’s important to remember how Republicans will prioritize corporate gains in the era of AI. In that context, look at this staggering data:

In 2023, over one-third (37%) of business leaders say AI replaced workers.
Survey: 44% of companies say AI will likely replace employees next year.
The IMF head says AI will affect 40% of jobs and worsen inequality.
AI could affect up to 80 percent of the US workforce: research.

A few months ago, I conducted a (very scientific) Twitter poll, asking if people believed that their jobs were at risk from AI. Here is what they responded:

People seem widely unaware of where we are as a society and where we will be in the next ten years. So, let’s talk about it.

Service industry employees, specifically with restaurants and fast food, will one day be a thing of the past:

As of October 2023, Amazon had more than 950,000 warehouse workers, making it the largest employer of warehouse workers in the United States. If you’ve ever worked for Amazon or know someone who has, then you probably know what a shit job it is. Their turnover has been about 150% annually, and a leaked memo from 2022 said that they could run out of people to hire in its US warehouses by 2024.

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Amazon currently leads the nation in robotic workforce. Their robots cost $3 per hour instead of an employee’s $20+ per hour.

Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos makes $1.43 million per hour. By replacing his human workforce with robots, his income will likely exceed $20 million per hour. Good for him. But ask yourself this:

Will any Republican in Texas or Washington DC even mutter an insinuation of raising taxes on billionaires who make millions of dollars per hour to foot the bill to retrain workers or cover unemployment?

We already know what Republicans will do; we have Walmart as an example.

According to a 2020 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, taxpayers subsidize low wages at Walmart and other large corporations. The report found that many full-time workers at these corporations earn such low wages that they qualify for taxpayer-funded programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or “food stamps”). Americans for Tax Fairness estimates that Walmart receives $6.2 billion in taxpayer subsidies annually because its employees rely on these programs.

As of February 8, 2024, the Walton family’s net worth was estimated to be $267 billion, making them the wealthiest family in the United States.

According to Fight for $15, one Walmart supercenter costs taxpayers up to $1.75 million annually. There are 3,560 Walmart supercenters in America.

This is the reality of trickle-down economics in America. Republicans cut taxes for the wealthy, they hoard it and buy more jet fuel, wages remain stagnant, poverty increases, reliance on anti-poverty programs increases, and taxes on all of us little guys go up.

Rinse and repeat. Ronald Reagan. George Dubya Bush. Donald Trump. They’ve all done the same thing: cut taxes for the wealthy and allowed all of us little people to flounder on the beaches of medium incomes while begging for healthcare, childcare, and fair wages. Reaganomics was a failure 40 years ago, it was a failure 20 years ago, and it’s a failure today.

Now, imagine Republicans applying Reaganomics to increasing automation that churns out high unemployment.

They’ll give Jeff Bezos another tax cut and call you a “welfare queen” when your job of 20 years lays you off, and your trained skill has been automated, leaving you no job prospects.

Robots will even replace blue-collar construction workers:

While it sounds doom and gloom, it doesn’t have to be. AI-driven automation will relieve humans from tedious and physically demanding tasks. In both professional and personal settings, this can lead to a higher quality of life, allowing individuals more time to engage in creative, educational, and leisure activities that enhance well-being and personal growth.

But if we want to see that future, we have to ensure the right people are in place to guide us.

Legislators have the responsibility to shape this future. We must collectively advocate for inclusive, forward-thinking policies that ensure AI benefits are distributed equitably across society. Can we trust Republicans with that?

Anti-regulation Republicans will ensure that comprehensive regulations are nil, leading to AI companies in Texas deploying AI systems that aren’t fully vetted for safety and privacy.
AI applications in Texas should operate with transparency; that way, they can be held accountable for decisions their AI makes that negatively impact people’s lives.
Republicans are sure to prioritize corporate gains over the people of Texas. The acceleration of AI automation will lead to soaring job losses and reduced wages, further exacerbating income inequality.
Without strong privacy laws, there’s a risk that AI data could be misused or mishandled, leading to breaches of privacy and potential exploitation of personal information.

Do you trust Republicans, when given the choice to pick either Skynet or an equitable society, that they will choose an equitable society?

In related news, the Washinton State Republican Party added to their platform that they are strongly against democracy. (You have to see Rachel Maddow’s take.)

Robots will also replace surgeons:

The 2024 Election is vital for many reasons. The exploding AI sector is one of them.

This is as important for the state legislature as it is for Congress. We want to ensure our governments pass comprehensive data usage regulations to protect individual privacy in AI applications. This could include laws requiring explicit consent for personal data used to train AI models. Legislation to establish ethical guidelines and standards for AI development and deployment, including oversight bodies, will be needed for compliance with these standards.

We will need bills to mitigate AI’s workforce impact, such as retraining programs for workers displaced by AI technologies and regulations ensuring fair labor practices in an increasingly automated economy.

Knowing this, do you trust Republicans to usher us into the Era of AI?

We need forward-thinking leaders in our State Legislature and in Congress, like Lina Hidalgo:

Lina Hidalgo's Vision: Anti-Poverty In An Automated Future

Michelle H. Davis

June 6, 2023

Read full story

As we stand on the AI Era’s precipice, our November choices will shape our future. The narrative is straightforward: unchecked, the priorities of a Republican-led legislature could drive us further into inequality and societal division, exacerbated by the rapid development of artificial intelligence. But another path is possible—one where innovation leads to shared prosperity and enhanced quality of life.

This November, voting blue up and down the ballot is essential. Progressive policies are necessary in a time of profound technological progress. We need leaders who will ensure that the benefits of AI are enjoyed by all, not just a select few. Vote early, vote often, just vote.