As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly advances in the United States, it faces growing opposition. Recently, New York moved closer to enacting a law to pause the development of new data centers that support AI technology. This concern is echoed by recent graduates who are anxious about AI’s impact on job prospects, often expressing their discontent during commencement speeches by tech leaders. Critics of AI are sometimes labeled as “Luddites,” a term originally used for 19th-century English textile workers who protested against mechanization that threatened their jobs. However, modern Luddites, like tech journalist Brian Merchant, argue they are not against technology itself but against its potential to exploit people. The term “Luddite” has evolved into a derogatory label, but its origins reflect a deeper concern about technology’s societal impact.
QUESTION: How might the rapid development of AI technology influence the future job market for your generation?
Get with the times — here’s what a ‘Luddite’ means today
