Shane O’Seasnáin: Our leaders are focused on the wrong issues while ignoring the AI revolution

(Editor’s note: This post on the AI revolution is part of our Tech Tuesday series. Dispatches covers tech because so many of our highly skilled internationals are scientists and engineers.)

As we stand at the dawn of an AI revolution that’s rapidly reshaping our societies, economies, and ways of life, it’s clear that we—Europeans and Americans alike—are in this together. Our shared iceberg is melting, and we must adapt swiftly or risk being left behind.

The crises we’ve faced together—COVID-19, the war in Ukraine—have already accelerated technological change beyond what we thought possible. Now, as artificial intelligence and digitization surge forward, we can no longer cling to the notion that our world will remain unchanged.

The complex, multi-faceted transformations on our doorstep demand not just our attention, but our active engagement.

Focus on positive future changes instead of fading threats

From our vantage point spanning both sides of the Atlantic, we’re seeing firsthand how these changes are challenging our governments more than any other institution. The impacts of AI aren’t mere possibilities; they’re unfolding realities that demand immediate preparation and foresight. In Europe, we’ve been experimenting with various governmental approaches to AI regulation and integration. It’s crucial that we learn from these experiences, taking the best of European governmental practices to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.

However, we must acknowledge a troubling trend: many of our governments are looking at the wrong issues. They’re focusing on immigration, austerity and other right-wing causes instead of preparing for the very different future that AI will bring. This misplaced attention is a luxury we can no longer afford. We need to redirect our focus towards the impending changes that will reshape our societies at their core.

Consider, for instance, the concept of “Greedy Jobs,” coined by economist Claudia Goldin. These high-earning, mid-tier management positions that demand total dedication are deeply ingrained in both our corporate cultures. As AI begins to shoulder these responsibilities, we’re at a crossroads.

In firms across Europe and America, we’re grappling with a crucial question: Will this lead to more authentic managers who deeply engage with their business and stakeholders, or will it spawn leaders who use AI as a crutch, creating an illusion of competence?

We’ve learned the hard way that true innovation requires genuine effort and insight, not just flashy presentations backed by AI-generated reports.

What can we do to help young people?

As AI and automation take over routine tasks, we anticipate a significant increase in leisure time across our societies. This shift presents an unprecedented opportunity to redirect our energies towards solving the big problems that face us collectively. From climate change to social inequality, we have the chance to engage our populations in meaningful work that goes beyond traditional notions of employment.

However, we face a critical challenge in this transition. Our young people, on both sides of the Atlantic, are experiencing a growing disengagement from the world around them. We need to provide them with clear pathways to engage with their families, communities and the larger problems they inherit. It’s crucial that we help them forge identities that honor their heritage while allowing them to move fluidly between different social and professional settings.

AI can be a powerful tool in this process, helping to create personalized learning experiences and connecting young people with mentors and opportunities that align with their passions and potential.

Our sense of identity and community is evolving in this new landscape. We’re using AI to navigate the complex terrain of digital representation, finding ways to transition smoothly between different contexts while preserving our diverse cultural heritages. It’s a balancing act that resonates across our varied societies, from the melting pot of America to the multicultural tapestry of Europe.

Transatlantic cooperation

As we watch AI democratize access to information and tools, we’re seeing a shift in what drives innovation. Profit, while still important, is no longer the sole motivator. We’re witnessing a rise in projects driven by recognition, social impact and collaborative exchange. This shift is pushing us towards solving global challenges through open-source models and with a greater emphasis on ethics and sustainability.

It’s a trend we’re seeing in Silicon Valley, in European tech hubs and everywhere in between.

Our governments are realizing, often too late, that waiting for solutions to emerge organically is no longer viable. We need proactive, forward-thinking governance that anticipates and shapes the AI revolution. This requires us to fundamentally rethink the nature of governance and what it means to contribute to society in our evolving world.

As we stand on the brink of this AI-driven transformation, our call to action is clear. We must strengthen our transatlantic collaboration, sharing insights and best practices in AI governance and ethical implementation. We need to redesign our education systems to prepare the next generation for a world where adaptability and creativity are paramount. We must create new frameworks for civic engagement that leverage increased leisure time for societal benefit. And critically, we must ensure that the benefits of AI are distributed equitably, preventing the deepening of existing inequalities.

The time for decisive, collaborative action is now. Together, we can shape an AI future that enhances human potential and addresses our shared global challenges. The iceberg is melting for all of us.

Let’s face this challenge head-on, combining European experiences with American innovation and leveraging the strengths of both our cultures to create a future where AI benefits us all.

–––––––––––

See more about AI here in Dispatches’ archives.

Read more from Shane here.