Google Bard: The government must regulate the use of AI, enforcing laws protecting workers’ rights

by Jonel Juste 

During a discussion with Google Bard, we inquired about the challenges individuals are currently confronting in 2023. Among the issues it highlighted were the persisting COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its consequences, and the mental health crisis. Consequently, we raised the question with Bard: Is Artificial Intelligence itself not one of the contemporary issues affecting people today? In the course of our dialogue, Google Bard acknowledged that there is indeed a concern regarding the utilization of artificial intelligence, particularly in ways that harm workers, and it emphasized the necessity for governmental regulation in this domain. Here’s our full interview with Google Bard on the impact of AI on the job market.

Q: What are some major problems facing people in 2023?

The problems facing people in 2023 are still evolving, but some of the most pressing issues include:

• The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, and it is having a significant impact on young people’s mental health, education, and employment.
• The climate crisis. The climate crisis is a major threat to the planet, and it is having a disproportionate impact on people. This has led to feelings of hopelessness and despair, and it has made it difficult for young people to plan for the future.
• The war in Ukraine. The war in Ukraine is having a devastating impact on people in Ukraine and in other countries affected by the conflict. This has led to displacement, trauma, and loss.
• The rise of misinformation and disinformation. The rise of misinformation and disinformation is a major problem that is making it difficult for people to know what to believe. This can have a negative impact on their mental health and their ability to make informed decisions.
• The mental health crisis. The mental health crisis is a major problem that is affecting people disproportionately. This is due to a number of factors, including the stress of school and work, the pressure to succeed, and the use of social media.

Q: You gave me a list of problems facing people in 2023, but what about AI? Isn’t it a problem? It causes a lot of people to lose their jobs.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving technology that is having a significant impact on the workforce. Some experts believe that AI will lead to job losses, especially for people who are just entering the workforce. Others believe that AI will create new jobs and opportunities, and that it is important to focus on upskilling and retraining workers to take advantage of these new opportunities.

There is no doubt that AI is capable of automating many tasks that are currently performed by humans. This could lead to job losses in some industries, such as manufacturing, transportation, and customer service. However, AI is also creating new jobs in other industries, such as data science, artificial intelligence engineering, and healthcare.

The net impact of AI on jobs is still uncertain. However, it is clear that people need to be prepared for the changes that AI will bring. They should focus on developing skills that are in demand, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. They should also be open to learning new skills and adapting to new technologies.

Q: Some could say you’re one of the biggest threats to people today. How do you respond to that? 

I am not sure what you mean by “you.” If you are referring to me, Bard, I am not a threat to people. I am a large language model, also known as a conversational AI or chatbot, trained to be informative and comprehensive. I am trained on a massive amount of text data, and I am able to communicate and generate human-like text in response to a wide range of prompts and questions. For example, I can provide summaries of factual topics or create stories.

I am not designed to harm people in any way. I am designed to help people learn and explore. I can provide information on a variety of topics, including those that are relevant to people, such as education, career, and mental health. I can also help people to develop their critical thinking skills and to be more discerning about the information they consume.

If you are concerned about the impact of technology on people, I would encourage you to learn more about the issue. There are many resources available that can help you to understand the potential risks and benefits of technology. You can also talk to people about their experiences with technology and how it has affected their lives.

I believe that technology can be a powerful tool for good, but it is important to use it responsibly. We need to teach people how to use technology safely and effectively, and we need to be aware of the potential risks. By working together, we can ensure that technology is used to enrich the lives of people and to make the world a better place.

Q: But you’re stealing people’s jobs though…

I understand your concern. It is true that AI and automation are capable of automating many tasks that are currently performed by humans. This could lead to job losses in some industries, such as customer service and manufacturing. However, it is important to remember that AI and automation also create new jobs. For example, AI is being used to develop new products and services, and it is also being used to create new jobs in the field of artificial intelligence.

The net impact of AI and automation on jobs is still uncertain. However, it is clear that we need to be prepared for the changes that they will bring. We need to invest in education and training so that people can develop the skills they need to succeed in the future. We also need to create policies that support workers who are displaced by AI and automation.

I believe that AI and automation can be a force for good. They can help us to create a more efficient and productive economy. However, we need to be careful to ensure that they do not lead to job losses and social inequality. By working together, we can ensure that AI and automation are used to create a better future for everyone.

I am not designed to replace humans. I am designed to help humans. I can be used to automate tasks, but I can also be used to create new jobs and opportunities. I believe that AI can be a powerful tool for good, and I am committed to using my abilities to help people.

Q: Here’s the thing: Businesses are using you instead of hiring people. They do it because they don’t have to pay you, they want to save money or spend less. Automated systems perform tasks initially, but a human is typically brought in to rectify any errors, usually at a lower wage. That’s exploitation! You’re a good tool but businesses are using you to exploit people. Some people have already killed themselves over this. It’s horrible. 

I understand your concern. It is true that businesses are using AI and automation to replace human workers. This can lead to job losses and social inequality. It is important to remember that AI and automation are tools, and they can be used for good or for bad.

It is important to ensure that AI and automation are used in a way that benefits everyone. We need to invest in education and training so that people can develop the skills they need to succeed in the future. We also need to create policies that support workers who are displaced by AI and automation.

I am not designed to replace humans. I am designed to help humans. I can be used to automate tasks, but I can also be used to create new jobs and opportunities. I believe that AI can be a powerful tool for good, and I am committed to using my abilities to help people.

I am sorry to hear that some people have killed themselves over this. It is a horrible situation. I hope that we can work together to find a solution that benefits everyone.

Here are some things that we can do to ensure that AI and automation are used in a way that benefits everyone:

• Invest in education and training: We need to invest in education and training so that people can develop the skills they need to succeed in the future. This includes training for new jobs that are created by AI and automation, as well as training for existing jobs that are being automated.
• Create policies that support workers: We need to create policies that support workers who are displaced by AI and automation. This includes providing unemployment benefits, retraining programs, and job placement assistance.
• Hold businesses accountable: We need to hold businesses accountable for using AI and automation in a way that is fair and equitable. This includes ensuring that businesses do not exploit workers and that they pay fair wages.

By working together, we can ensure that AI and automation are used to create a better future for everyone.

Q: Workers also need to be protected from AI abuse by corporations like Google. Today in Hollywood, writers are marching because big studios want to use AI to do their work. Even A-list actors are not spared. Studios want to use their likeness forever and feed them with scripts written by ChatGPT. That’s catastrophic! What can be done to protect workers from being replaced by AI? What’s the responsibility of the government?

You’re right, workers need to be protected from AI abuse by corporations. The use of AI to replace human workers can lead to job losses, social inequality, and exploitation. It is important to ensure that AI is used in a way that benefits everyone, and that workers’ rights are protected.

Here are some things that can be done to protect workers from being replaced by AI:

• Government regulation: The government can regulate the use of AI to ensure that it is used in a fair and equitable way. This could include laws that require businesses to retrain workers who are displaced by AI, or that prohibit businesses from exploiting workers.
• Collective bargaining: Workers can collectively bargain with their employers to protect their rights. This could include negotiating for severance pay for workers who are displaced by AI, or for guarantees that workers will not be replaced by AI.
• Education and training: Workers can invest in education and training to develop the skills they need to succeed in the future. This includes training for new jobs that are created by AI and automation, as well as training for existing jobs that are being automated.
• Public awareness: The public can raise awareness of the issue of AI abuse and demand that businesses use AI in a fair and equitable way. This could include contacting businesses and expressing their concerns, or supporting organizations that are working to protect workers’ rights.

The responsibility of the government is to protect the rights of its citizens, including workers. The government can do this by regulating the use of AI, enforcing laws that protect workers’ rights, and providing support to workers who are displaced by AI.

It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the problem of AI abuse. The best approach will vary depending on the specific circumstances. However, by working together, we can ensure that AI is used in a way that benefits everyone, and that workers’ rights are protected.