There are fears that AI could eliminate many jobs, but it may not matter as much as we currently expect.
Venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, known for his bold predictions about technology’s future, has painted a optimistic picture of a world transformed by artificial general intelligence (AGI). He suggests that AGI will usher in an era of such abundance that the need to “make a living” will become obsolete, blurring the lines between traditionally disparate professions, from farm workers to oncologists.
“People’s kids will be able to follow their passion 20 years from now. They won’t need to make a living because there’ll be enough abundance,” he said at an event.
“First, AI will do so much there will be no difference in the value of a farm worker or an oncologist, statistically, because they’ll both up-level to the level of the AGI,” he added.
“So this is becoming very, very real,” Khosla emphasized. “It’s just most people don’t realize what’s possible. I mean, optimistically, I do think AI will free humans to really pursue what they want to pursue and you won’t have to worry about making a living first and then pursue your passion.” He concluded, “This is a very optimistic picture I’m [painting].”
Khosla’s vision posits a radical shift in societal structure. He envisions AGI augmenting human capabilities across all professions, effectively equalizing their economic value. The implication is that the current economic hierarchy, where compensation is often tied to specialized skills and knowledge, will become irrelevant. In this future, a farm worker, empowered by AGI, could contribute as significantly to society as an oncologist, likewise enhanced by the same technology.
This perspective challenges conventional wisdom about the potential impact of AI. While concerns about job displacement are valid and reflected in recent events like companies slowing down their hiring, Khosla’s view suggests a more nuanced outcome. Instead of mass unemployment, he foresees a liberation from the necessity of work, allowing individuals to pursue their passions without financial constraints. Bill Gates too has made similar predictions, saying that jobs will not be a necessity in the AI era. However, it also raises significant questions about how such a society would function, how resources would be allocated, and what new societal structures might emerge. Whether this optimistic vision will materialize remains to be seen, but it provides a thought-provoking counterpoint to the more dystopian narratives surrounding AI’s rise.