The Side of AI They’re Not Telling You
The Side of AI They’re Not Telling You
RELEVANT magazine comes out swinging with a well-researched piece outlining AI. The social and environmental costs of AI are often overlooked, says writer Emily Brown.
Social Costs
AI systems perpetuate biases and exacerbate inequalities, particularly for people of color. The rise of AI-driven automation threatens jobs traditionally held by minority workers, widening the racial wealth gap. By 2030, some experts estimate that AI could eliminate 400 to 800 million jobs worldwide.1
Citing the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility, Brown says minority workers are disproportionately represented in roles at high risk of automation. Meanwhile, biases in AI systems, such as racial and gender stereotypes, add to the discrimination and exclusion.
Environmental Costs
On the environmental front, the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with AI processing pose environmental challenges. AI hardware production and disposal also contribute to habitat destruction and resource depletion.
Reducing Costs
A holistic approach encompassing sustainable AI development, diversity and inclusion efforts, and robust policy frameworks is needed to create an equitable and sustainable future.
To address these challenges, sustainable AI development is crucial, focusing on energy-efficient algorithms and hardware, as well as circular economy principles.
Diversity and inclusion in AI development should be prioritized to mitigate biases.
Transparency, accountability, and regulation are necessary to ensure responsible AI use.
Social safety nets must be strengthened to support workers affected by AI-driven automation.
Check out the article for more statistics and sources.
Predictions like this I don’t give a lot of credence, though I do agree that AI will have an impact on jobs. It’s just really hard to say what it will be. (Both tech hype and criti-hype deserve our skepticism.) I inquired with the author, Emily Brown, about her source here, but didn’t hear back. Her larger point, though, I agree with: AI will disproportionately affect (and probably harm) people on the margins.