The International AI Treaty: Addressing Job Concerns and Promoting Progress
Written on
Chapter 1: Introduction to the AI Treaty
The Council of Europe’s human rights body announced that a groundbreaking international treaty on artificial intelligence (AI) will be open for signature this Thursday. This includes participation from EU member states, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The AI Convention, which has been in development for several years and received approval in May after discussions among 57 nations, seeks to address risks associated with AI while promoting responsible technological advancement.
“This Convention is a pivotal move towards ensuring that new technologies can function without compromising our fundamental values, including human rights and the rule of law,” remarked UK Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood, as reported by Reuters.
Section 1.1: Objectives of the AI Convention
The primary goal of the AI Convention is to safeguard the human rights of individuals impacted by AI systems. It is essential to differentiate this Convention from the EU AI Act, which was implemented last month and lays out detailed regulations for the development, application, and use of AI within the EU market.
The Council of Europe, established in 1949, operates independently from the EU and is dedicated to human rights protection, comprising 47 member nations, including all 27 EU countries.
An ad hoc committee began contemplating an AI framework convention in 2019, which ultimately led to the establishment of a Committee on Artificial Intelligence in 2022, tasked with drafting and negotiating the agreement.
Subsection 1.1.1: Concerns Regarding the AI Convention
Francesca Fanucci, a legal expert from ECNL who was involved in the treaty's drafting alongside various civil organizations, expressed that the agreement has been “watered down” into a general set of principles. “The language of the obligations and principles in this convention is vague and laden with exceptions, raising significant doubts about its legal clarity and enforceability,” she stated.
Fanucci highlighted certain shortcomings, such as exemptions for AI systems employed in national security and limited regulation of private entities compared to public ones. “This discrepancy is disheartening,” she added.
The UK government has committed to collaborating with regulators and local authorities to ensure the effective implementation of the new requirements.
Chapter 2: AI's Impact on Employment
The first video discusses the implications of the EU's AI Act, featuring insights from MEPs Dragoș Tudorache and Brando Benifei, shedding light on how this legislation may shape the future of AI in Europe.
Despite widespread apprehensions regarding job displacement due to AI, recent developments suggest otherwise. Alorica, a California-based company, has introduced an AI translation tool enabling its representatives to assist customers in 200 languages and 75 dialects. Although this AI capability has the potential to threaten jobs, Alorica continues to hire aggressively.
The experiences at Alorica and similar organizations indicate that AI may not be the job destroyer many anticipate. Rather, it could mirror past technological advancements—phasing out certain roles while creating new opportunities and enhancing productivity.
Section 2.1: Economic Perspectives on AI and Jobs
Economist Nick Bunker asserts that while AI will influence numerous jobs, it is unlikely to result in widespread unemployment. “Technology both dismantles and generates jobs. New roles will emerge as a result,” he remarked.
Contrary to fears, AI chatbots have not yet significantly replaced service workers. The White House Council of Economic Advisers found minimal evidence suggesting that AI has adversely affected overall employment figures, noting instead that technology tends to increase productivity and give rise to new job categories.
An MIT study revealed that 60% of jobs from 2018 were nonexistent in 1940. Challenger, Gray & Christmas has not observed a significant number of layoffs attributed to AI.
However, certain roles face increased vulnerability. For instance, Suumit Shah's company, Dukaan, replaced 90% of its customer support team with an AI chatbot, significantly reducing response times and costs.
Subsection 2.1.1: Job Market Trends
A study indicated that job postings for writers, coders, and artists saw a decline following the launch of ChatGPT, illustrating AI's potential impact on specific professions. A 2023 analysis identified telemarketers and language instructors as particularly at risk from AI language models.
Nonetheless, AI can also augment existing roles. For example, IKEA's customer-service chatbot facilitated the retraining of 8,500 workers for more complex tasks.
AI's ability to improve efficiency is notable. Research involving 5,200 customer-support agents utilizing AI assistants showed a 14% increase in productivity, with newer employees benefiting the most.
At Alorica, AI tools have significantly decreased call handling times. Agents are now able to manage more calls per hour and access customer information swiftly. AI translation tools are also being rolled out, enabling seamless communication between customers and agents in their preferred languages.
Although AI may eliminate some positions, it often complements human labor, enhancing productivity and paving the way for new roles.
The second video raises the question of whether AI poses an existential threat to human jobs, providing insights from BBC News on the potential implications of AI technology on the job market.