Winning the AI race against China is one thing; But winning the AI race for all Americans is no less important, and indeed an altogether under-discussed issue

Sébastien Laye (beard) celebrates the publication of his book with the blogger of No Pasarán

While it is pretty much certain that at some point [artificial intelligence] will bring about new innovations and eliminate entire categories of problems faced by humanity, suffice it to say that at the moment, it is still an automation tool.

Thus writes ROF's Sébastien Laye in his Washington Examiner column, AI should be a first-tier public policy issue.

Like with all general-purpose technologies, in a first sequence, AI is already affecting employment — junior roles are being replaced, weakening intergenerational training and reducing opportunities for skill transmission within professions. As this new technology dramatically lowers costs, there is a clear path for higher corporate margins, hence the frothy stock market despite a more muted general macroeconomic environment, but no clear short-term mechanism to manage the transition for most people, notwithstanding reskilling and training.

AI AND THE DEATH OF MACROECONOMICS AS WE KNEW IT

It feels similar to when the United States accepted China into the World Trade Organization or signed the North American Free Trade Agreement: Costs went down, but the disruption was real. Over the short term, AI might have a comparable impact for the average U.S. citizen.

When it comes to public policies, AI is indeed all over the news, as the Trump administration is pushing an ambitious Promethean agenda and a form of techno-nationalism inspired by China but more private-market-oriented. With the exception of the Genesis Mission, modest in funding, the AI revolution is essentially funded by the private sector, Silicon Valley upstarts, Big Tech, and Wall Street.

 … As the edifice of established paradigms begins to fracture under the weight of AI, it becomes imperative to interrogate governments and administrations. Winning the AI race against China is one thing. But winning the race for all Americans is no less important, and an altogether underdiscussed issue.