OpenAI and AI: Towards an Inevitable Economic Disruption?

OpenAI recently published a 13-page document aimed at preparing society for the economic upheavals brought about by artificial intelligence. This initiative seeks to alleviate fears related to job loss by proposing solutions that allow everyone to maintain control over their economic future. OpenAI compares this transformation to a new industrial revolution.

Towards Superintelligence and a New Social Contract

OpenAI highlights the emergence of superintelligence, systems capable of surpassing human abilities in various domains. This transition promises to profoundly transform the global economy and redefine the value of work. While some jobs may disappear and others may emerge, the balance remains uncertain. OpenAI acknowledges a significant uncertainty regarding the scale and pace of these changes, which fuels concerns among workers.

To address these challenges, OpenAI proposes a new social contract. The idea is to redistribute the wealth generated by AI to prevent economic divides. Among the suggested measures, the creation of a public fund is central. This fund would invest in the AI economy and redistribute the gains to citizens, allowing everyone to benefit from growth, even without stable employment. However, the lack of clarity on how this model would function limits its credibility.

Taxing Automation and Reducing Working Hours

OpenAI also recommends revising the tax system by reducing reliance on taxes from human labor. The company proposes to increase taxes on profits derived from intelligent automation. These taxes would aim to offset job losses due to AI and support public finances. However, this approach has sparked tensions, with some companies fearing it could hinder innovation.

Furthermore, OpenAI addresses the issue of working hours, suggesting that employers experiment with a 32-hour workweek without a reduction in pay. This proposal is based on productivity gains linked to AI, allowing employees to work less while maintaining their standard of living. However, without an equitable distribution of gains, the benefits risk remaining concentrated.

Despite these proposals, uncertainty persists regarding their concrete implementation. OpenAI plans to distribute research grants to explore these avenues in the coming months. Some experts view this initiative as a strategy to reassure investors ahead of a potential IPO. A major discussion workshop is scheduled to take place in Washington next May to delve deeper into these issues.