The AI Backlash Could Get Ugly • Hacker News Board

Re: The AI Backlash Could Get Ugly

#11

Post by otikik » Wed, May 13, 2026, 3:06 PM UTC

My main problem is this:

- If (big If) AI actually replaces workers, then we have a problem, because lots of folk lost their jobs

- If AI doesn't replace workers, then we have a recession, because a lot of the US economy now sits on top of corporations betting on it. And this will tank the economy and lots of folk will lose their jobs

It feels that the only path forward is a narrow one where AI removes some jobs, but not too many, but still enough so that the (immense, disproportionate) hype that was put on it does not come with a vengeance and the house of cards falls.

Re: The AI Backlash Could Get Ugly

#12

Post by thomascgalvin » Wed, May 13, 2026, 3:06 PM UTC

bcjdjsndon wrote: post #2

> They want to replace workers A simple question none of the ai-doomsayers can answer... who buys anything when nobody has a job cos robots do everything?

You're asking a question that only applies to rational actors.

Corporations exist for one purpose: to get as much money as possible. Side concerns, which can range from "not destroying the environment" or "not destroying the economy," are objectively not their goal, nor do they consider them their responsibility. Those are things "someone else" should worry about.

AI destroying all jobs is similar to a nuclear arms race; these companies don't want to eliminate everyone's ability to buy things, but they don't want to be the only entity without that ability, so ...

Re: The AI Backlash Could Get Ugly

#13

Post by skybrian » Wed, May 13, 2026, 3:08 PM UTC

thomascgalvin wrote: post #5

People like Altman and Musk are saying that Universal Basic Income will be necessary once AI has fully automated away most jobs, but at the same time they aggressively fight against any kind of tax policy that would allow UBI to function. I am convinced that their talk of UBI is just handwaving; they're trying to convince us that there will be a solution to the destruction of the economy as we know it, so that we'll…

What’s an example where they took a side on taxes?

Re: The AI Backlash Could Get Ugly

#14

Post by pelotron » Wed, May 13, 2026, 3:08 PM UTC

bcjdjsndon wrote: post #2

> They want to replace workers A simple question none of the ai-doomsayers can answer... who buys anything when nobody has a job cos robots do everything?

We shouldn't be surprised people have a negative view of AI when Altman et al. have stated on stage that the goal is to replace everyone.

Re: The AI Backlash Could Get Ugly

#15

Post by camillomiller » Wed, May 13, 2026, 3:09 PM UTC

otikik wrote: post #11

My main problem is this: - If (big If) AI actually replaces workers, then we have a problem, because lots of folk lost their jobs - If AI doesn't replace workers, then we have a recession, because a lot of the US economy now sits on top of corporations betting on it. And this will tank the economy and lots of folk will lose their jobs It feels that the only path forward is a narrow one where AI removes some jobs , bu…

If one of both cases happens you can be sure the people most responsible will be the least affected. That is why this can get ugly. Honestly they deserve for it to get ugly. We can keep giving the Musks, Zuckerbergs, Altmans and co the benefit of the doubt

Re: The AI Backlash Could Get Ugly

#16

Post by bluecheese452 » Wed, May 13, 2026, 3:10 PM UTC

lorecore wrote: post #9

bluecheese452 wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you have a magic robot that builds everything you want you don’t need anyone to buy anything. Jfc this site is the worst. Use your words instead of drive by downvoting.

Where do the raw materials for the thing it's building (or the robot itself for that matter) come from?

From the earth. Maybe in the future space.

Re: The AI Backlash Could Get Ugly

#17

Post by llm_nerd » Wed, May 13, 2026, 3:10 PM UTC

thomascgalvin wrote: post #5

People like Altman and Musk are saying that Universal Basic Income will be necessary once AI has fully automated away most jobs, but at the same time they aggressively fight against any kind of tax policy that would allow UBI to function. I am convinced that their talk of UBI is just handwaving; they're trying to convince us that there will be a solution to the destruction of the economy as we know it, so that we'll…

Haven't really paid attention to Altman, so can't comment there, but on the Musk file I will say it is insane that anyone relies upon his future benevolence. And they do rely upon it given that America is 100% a plutocracy now and is run in the service of the ultra-rich who hold complete and utter control over government.

Musk's entire history on this planet betrays him to be a profoundly selfish individual with perilously little regard for anyone else. Musk and his ilk (Trump, Bezos, Page, Ellison, Thiel, etc) are more likely to see you ground up into Soylent Green than to offer largess like UBI.

Re: The AI Backlash Could Get Ugly

#18

Post by Krssst » Wed, May 13, 2026, 3:10 PM UTC

bcjdjsndon wrote: post #2

> They want to replace workers A simple question none of the ai-doomsayers can answer... who buys anything when nobody has a job cos robots do everything?

There will still be jobs. Manual jobs, the kind that break our backs and have us breath various stuff we shouldn't (dust, fumes). Robots are difficult and maybe not so economically viable when everyone is desperate for any job at any cost.

Re: The AI Backlash Could Get Ugly

#19

Post by chezelenkoooo » Wed, May 13, 2026, 3:10 PM UTC

otikik wrote: post #11

My main problem is this: - If (big If) AI actually replaces workers, then we have a problem, because lots of folk lost their jobs - If AI doesn't replace workers, then we have a recession, because a lot of the US economy now sits on top of corporations betting on it. And this will tank the economy and lots of folk will lose their jobs It feels that the only path forward is a narrow one where AI removes some jobs , bu…

I don't think it an either / or. The current AI models, as they are, improve productivity quite a bit. They're just super expensive but the expense is being subsidized so it appears reasonable.

An alternative possibility is that the models become much cheaper and their use becomes more ubiquitous which would be helpful.

Re: The AI Backlash Could Get Ugly

#20

Post by tux3 » Wed, May 13, 2026, 3:11 PM UTC

bcjdjsndon wrote: post #2

> They want to replace workers A simple question none of the ai-doomsayers can answer... who buys anything when nobody has a job cos robots do everything?

The true AI doomsayers believe in some sort of technological singularity, which means a point after which things become so strange that the world is radically transformed.

Things like "jobs" and "careers" are so integral to society that we can't really imagine what society would be like in a world where people don't have any clear purpose. That's why you won't get a definitive answer. The whole idea of a singularity is that people don't have the faintest clue what day to day life would look like after.

We often to choose to believe that a singularity can't happen, because we don't know what that even means. We can't answer the simple question. So it definitely better not happen, that would be very inconvenient.