In the debate of AI being a job destroyer of job creator, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, Brian Chesky is of the opinion that AI will ultimately be a job creator.
He believes that AI technology will drive the emergence of “millions of new startups,” as he expressed in a conversation with investor Jason Calacanis on This Week In Startups.
One of the advantages of AI is its ability to enhance the productivity of individuals in existing jobs. Chesky estimated that AI would boost the productivity of engineers at his company by 30% in the upcoming year, without the need to hire additional personnel.
This efficiency improvement is beneficial for companies’ profitability and, as Chesky envisions, can facilitate job seekers in building their own companies, thereby fostering a more vibrant job market.
“I think anyone can do what only a software engineer allowed you to do five years ago — it’s going to be awesome for many people,” Chesky said. “It’s going to be wildly disruptive for others.”
While it is true that this may lead to a significant reduction in job positions, in the long run it has a lot of positive aspects for the overall economy and for businesses. But even in the business world, influential personalities such as Warren Buffet and Elon Musk have very different opinions of AI.
Musk acknowledges both advantages and disadvantages of AI and even supports it from time to time, but overall warns people of its implications and how It could very well change the environment for job seekers.
Recently, leading AI pioneers, including OpenAI and Google DeepMind, issued a letter highlighting the risks of unchecked expansion of AI technology. They argue that without proper regulation, AI poses a threat to humanity’s existence.
Nevertheless, the debate surrounding AI as a job destroyer or job creator involves multiple perspectives. While proponents like Brian Chesky believe AI will generate new opportunities and fuel entrepreneurship, skeptics, including Warren Buffett, caution against the potential negative consequences.
It is evident that striking a balance through responsible regulation is crucial to maximize the benefits of AI while mitigating any adverse impacts.
“Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war,” the AI leaders said in their letter, posted on the Center for AI Safety, urging policymakers to regulate its growth.