AI Hype: Embrace Our Inner Luddite

The growing distrust of artificial intelligence (AI) is not merely a reflection of anti-technology sentiments but a deeper awareness of the power dynamics at play. As AI advances, so do concerns about its unchecked progress and the potential risks it poses. However, expressing skepticism about AI is often met with hesitation, as individuals fear being labeled as obstructionists to the promised productivity boom.

The core issue lies not in the technology itself but in the forces driving its development. Historical parallels can be drawn to the Luddite movement of the early 19th century, where textile workers in northern England resisted the introduction of automation that threatened their skilled jobs. When factory owners failed to share the benefits of this new technology, workers took matters into their own hands, destroying machines and factories in protest. This resistance persisted for five years before being suppressed by the British government.

Today, the Luddite movement serves as a cautionary tale. Research indicates that Australians are among the least trusting of AI systems, with concerns growing as more individuals interact with large language models. The onus is on proponents of AI to demonstrate that risks have been adequately mitigated.

AI Risks: Existential and Practical

The risks associated with AI are twofold. First, there is the existential risk of a sentient AI gaining control over the world. Second, there are practical risks involving tools built on stolen information, shaped by big tech companies with little regard for end users. Now, the focus has shifted from consumers to workers, with predictions suggesting that half of all entry-level white-collar jobs are at risk. Studies also indicate that the use of AI tools may harm critical thinking skills.

Business leaders often highlight the productivity benefits of AI, while the tech industry resists regulation. This focus on productivity could have unintended consequences if it is co-opted by interests that equate job cuts with progress. Most Australians view the productivity mantra with skepticism, associating it more with cost-cutting than shared prosperity.

Productivity and AI: A Complex Relationship

If the government, business, and tech sectors want the public to embrace AI, they must address these concerns. Productivity should arise from empowering workers with new tools, connections, and markets. While some innovations have been extractive, others, like the steam engine, have fostered opportunity and driven prosperity. Resistance to technology often persists when those in control overreach. The Luddite movement ultimately led to the formation of worker guilds that fought for laws to civilize industrial capital.

Sharing power ensures that the benefits of technology are widely distributed. A past productivity surge in Australia was the result of an accord that globalized the economy while securing social wage advancements. Feedback between technology creators and users generates value, strengthened by high trust and shared benefits.

The AI challenge requires collaboration with experts and placing Australian workers at the center of the revolution. By giving workers the ability to guide AI use and enforce safeguards, Australia can achieve national prosperity. Embracing our inner Luddite and demanding a voice ensures that technology delivers on its promises.