Lonely Brain
The article claims that artificial intelligence will create a new social group—they will lose jobs due to AI automation and become marginalized people.
As AI may surpass human capabilities by 2027, many seemingly advanced jobs could be replaced.
For example, an Oxford Economics report shows that AI has already increased unemployment rates among recent college graduates.
The "permanent underclass" refers to:
In an AI-dominated future, people owning "computing" (the computing power behind AI) capital will control the means of production, while most people face depletion of economic opportunities.
Harari is more pessimistic; he has long warned of the "useless class": for the first time in human history, what we face may not be exploitation, but "irrelevance".
There are also optimists. "Effective accelerationism" believes AI development can solve all social problems. Never mind—just charge ahead!
All of this is happening.
Take the S&P 500 as an example: AI giants have already formed a polarization with ordinary companies.
On the individual level, top AI employees earn over 100 million a year; on the other end, massive layoffs.
"Cyber feudalism" posits that digital platforms and tech giants will become new "feudal lords":
A small portion of tech elites owning data, algorithms, and computing power (the new "land") will dominate the vast majority of ordinary people (the new "serfs").
So, how can individuals avoid falling into the "permanent underclass"?
Here are 5 suggestions:
1. "Ship garbage": Meaning using AI to generate content and quickly gain fame or status through "garbage content" to "stand out" in the AI era.
Though it's a joke, I think this trick is the most practical; many people are doing it.
2. Super productivity: Adopt high-intensity work modes like "996" to maintain competitiveness.
Simply go all out, strive to run faster than other humans before the "AI bear".
3. Return to old trades or shift to non-automatable fields: For example, become a plumber.
Because these jobs rely on physical skills and human senses.
However, Musk, looking at his robots, says don't celebrate too early.
4. "New Amish" lifestyle: Some consider fully embracing a technology-rejecting way of life.
The "Amish" are a group known for rejecting modern technology and living simple, community-oriented lives.
Many "new Amish" advocates have rediscovered the joy of manual labor, gardening, cooking, maintenance, and other physical activities.
I guess "new country folk" will become an option in the future.
5. Collaborate with AI or serve the rich: The safest positions will be those that can directly collaborate with AI or provide high-end, personalized services to the growing rich.
This is probably: if you can't beat them, "join" them.
In the past 100 years, humans have created two self-destructive things: the atomic bomb, AI.
Who knows, are we creating tools, or "manufacturing" a new God?