Comment by swalsh
5 days ago
> Tech workers should be organizing to prepare for the profit-taking moves management has in store for us
I think you think this is going to help tech workers, but raising the cost of employing humans is only going to incentivize companies to adopt AI faster.
You should do the opposite, and tax AI use. Though that's probably rife with potential issues too. I think as umemployment increases we're going to have to make a bad decision somewhere... and I'm guessing taxing AI is the lesser evil.
Historically many unions were formed during times of mass automation. Unions don’t unilaterally drive up wages. They increase workers’ negotiating power. This is needed to help workers best navigate the times ahead.
The time for tough decisions is today. There is no interest from the companies that control our politicians in supporting taxes, basic income, or whatever other policy proposal people think will occur after AI. Worker leverage will only be diminished after mass layoffs. We will end up in a situation of social unrest. To pull out of that workers will be forced to organize to increase negotiating power. Sooner is better than later, if we can realize it’s in our interests to do so.