The writer is former director of the National Economic Council and executive director of the Economic Dignity Lab at Georgetown
The jukebox of major AI companies is shuffling between two tracks. For some time, tens of millions of families have only heard REM blaring “It’s the End of the World as We Know It”. With the booing of graduation speakers praising AI and polling showing overwhelming fear of its impact, some tone-deaf tech leaders now seem to believe they can reduce AI backlash by downplaying the potential for massive job losses by skipping to Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”. Neither tune captures the moment.
AI enthusiasts need to lose the delusion that if working families could only comprehend the productivity gains, consumer conveniences and potential medical breakthroughs that the technology may bring, they would get over their fear of losing their standard of living, meaningful work and hopes for their children’s economic future. They won’t.