Recently, CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin had an exclusive interview with French President Emmanuel Macron. They talked about a whole slew of issues, but a lot was centred on AI: what the challenges and opportunities are that stratospheric technological progress begets.
Macron stressed that while AI will be “a huge revolution” that “will completely transform education, democracy, work, a lot of things,” he believes the impact on the workforce is one of the biggest issues that must be grappled with.
“AI will be a revolution for work for good and bad. It will push us to shift a lot of qualifications,” Macron stated.
The French President advocated for a proactive approach to retraining workers whose jobs may be disrupted by AI: “This is why we have to understand and progressively be aware of that and educate our people and we have to work very hard on the qualifications of a lot of people. We have to train and qualify a lot of people.”
However, Macron also sees AI as an engine for productivity gains and economic opportunity if balanced properly.
“Clearly, it will be the case with AI,” he said. “It will completely transform — that may mean a lot of jobs. I agree with you.”
Ultimately, Macron called attnetion to the importance of ensuring AI develops in a way that benefits humanity: “The question is how AI will be at the service of humanity and not just seen as a substitute of humanity. I want AI at the service of humanity and increase productivity and not a substitute.”
As AI rapidly advances, world leaders like Macron will be tasked with carefully managing its societal impacts while unlocking its potential economic rewards. Robust workforce retraining programs may be critical to achieving that balance.
Featured image: Credit: CNBC
