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Re:AI will lead to labor shortages, Bezos says in optimistic... by cyanydeez on Wednesday June 17, 2026 @12:39PM (#48572944)
we're giving you jobs! See that millionaire over there! Soon he'll afford a yacht! Who will build the yachts? You! Who will clean the toilets! You! Can't you see, we won't run you out of a good job, we'll run you into the dirtiest jobs!
Re:AI will lead to labor shortages, Bezos says in optimistic... by thewebguyd on Wednesday June 17, 2026 @03:38PM (#48575718)
Yep. Notice in all of these "lol nevermind, AI isn't going to take jobs way" takes that these execs have suddenly started spewing completely gloss over exactly WHAT jobs are going to be available.

They only look at it from the top. if jobsAvailable = True then economy = fine. But there is no viable desk job->trades pipeline. You can't upend millions of people's existing lifestyles from office jobs that provide a comfortable, climate controlled work environment, and a high enough salary to enter the middle class, and tell everyone "sorry, but hey there's a massive labor shortage in manufacturing and welding, go grab a hard hat"

So now, things bifurcate even more. You're either a highly specialized AI engineer of some sort, which will be highly competitive, or back to the factory you go and you can kiss your six figure salary and work life balance good bye. Oh, and you'll destroy your body in the process and probably die early. Yay capitalism?

There's no optimism there. Knowledge workers care about what jobs are going to be available, not just that any job is available.

Re:AI will lead to labor shortages, Bezos says in optimistic... by ranon on Wednesday June 17, 2026 @04:28PM (#48576385)
Jon Stewart/Obama told Bezos this directly: "that's a recipe for a revolution."
Re:AI will lead to labor shortages, Bezos says in optimistic... by mynameisbilly on Wednesday June 17, 2026 @04:32PM (#48576441)
I expect some form of UBI will be incorporated to placate the masses in the event of mass unemployment, but only after some serious unrest.
Re:AI will lead to labor shortages, Bezos says in optimistic... by cyanydeez on Wednesday June 17, 2026 @05:24PM (#48577129)
No, what will happen is a claim of UBI, but inevitably it'll just be some war and strife and credit card debt that will ensure fealty.

...oh, wait

Re:AI will lead to labor shortages, Bezos says in optimistic... by warmedcookie on Wednesday June 17, 2026 @04:43PM (#48576603)
Drone armies will prevent such things this time around though.