AI and Job Crisis Ignored in Political Conversations

The upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024 are set to shape the future of India, but one crucial topic seems to be missing from the political discourse – the AI and job crisis. As the country grapples with issues of precarity, underemployment, and social imbalance in the workforce, there is a pressing need for a deeper conversation on the structural variables behind these challenges.

Both the ruling coalition and the opposition have failed to address the root causes of the AI and job crisis. While the opposition offers solutions like Universal Basic Income and paid internships, there is a lack of radical thinking that goes beyond traditional social security measures. The specter of AI-led transformation of work looms large, with industry claims of AI models replacing human cognitive work, but the reality is far from such fantastical ideas.

The rapid advancement of AI technology poses a significant threat to traditional jobs, with machine learning enabling remote monitoring and control of workers, leading to increased exploitation and inequality. The AI industry’s fear-mongering tactics divert attention from the real issues at hand, such as automation-related job losses and the erosion of workers’ rights.

Regulation is not a dirty word when it comes to AI. Countries like the EU, China, and the US have implemented interventionist regulations to protect workers and ensure ethical AI practices. In India, there is a need for political will to address the economic rights of workers and prevent the exploitation that comes with unchecked AI deployment.

As the 2024 elections approach, it is crucial for policymakers and the public to engage in informed discussions about the impact of AI on jobs and society. Social security measures are a start, but concrete policy interventions are needed to ensure that AI serves the interests of workers and not just capital. The future of work in the age of AI depends on the decisions made today.