Will artificial intelligence bring prosperity?

A specter is haunting the world – the specter of artificial intelligence. In the 19th century, there were popes and tsars hunting down another specter. This time, there are billions of working people pondering whether artificial intelligence will take away their professions and jobs. 

Neither artificial intelligence nor any other technology is, of course, a specter. The issue that needs to be considered is what technology will bring to the majority of humanity: prosperity, or an ever-widening gap in income distribution?

THE END OF HISTORY 

At the end of the 1980s, according to some, the end of history had been reached. The free market, democracy, and freedoms had achieved an irreversible victory.  Regimes that were claimed to be incompatible with human nature, to hinder competition and development, and to be illiberal had collapsed.

Even in the essays of middle school students, the concept of globalization was being used. The information and internet age had begun, in which humanity was entering a period of prosperity and borders were effectively disappearing. As in the example of the 'two keys' used in election campaigns, a prosperous order was promised where everyone could own a house and a car. 

In contrast to the arguments mentioned above, in the more than 30 years that have passed, the lack of a balancing factor has left even the basic rights of the masses who survive by selling their labor—such as health, education, and housing—under attack. In most of the US and European countries, which are claimed to be welfare societies, you cannot benefit from the simplest medical services if you do not have money. It is also evident that in our country, the rate of homeownership has fallen and it is becoming increasingly difficult to own a home due to high costs. Similarly, we see that health and education services are gradually becoming paid services.

I started this article with this introduction because I believe it is necessary to briefly summarize the economic and political situation we are in today in order to discuss the consequences of artificial intelligence and other technological advancements. 

INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTIONS 

Since the introduction of water and steam power into production, the quantity and quality of output have steadily increased. 

As a result of the evolution we have undergone throughout history, we have reached a technological level capable of establishing settlements in space. We are at an awe-inspiring point, particularly in the fields of engineering and medicine. There is a difference of nearly 30 years in average life expectancy between the beginning of the 20th century and today.

It is undeniable that the stage we have reached today in artificial intelligence and technology (robots, automation systems, etc.) has increased the quantity, speed, and quality of production. However, most importantly, the need for human labor is now decreasing. 

It is becoming clear that a building's structural calculations can be performed via software without the need for a civil engineer, and advertising slogans can be written or posters designed without the need for an advertiser. In the near future, we may no longer need judges to resolve legal disputes. 

The word "efficiency" is frequently used to justify the decreasing need for human labor in production.  Reducing labor costs increases profitability. But what might happen if this efficiency results in a large number of people rapidly losing their jobs?

To think about and discuss this issue, we can use the "Practical Work" method we employ at the faculty.  

Artificial intelligence and similar technologies have minimized the need for human labor in production. Production volume has increased. However, unemployment has risen, and the consumer's purchasing power has declined. Due to high unemployment, wages for workers have fallen.

i) To whom will we sell the goods/services we produce? 

ii) Should we mandatorily plan the distribution of the workforce due to changing conditions?

iii) Should we intervene in the market, or should we trust the invisible hand?

The questions could be extended.

PLANNING AND PUBLIC INTEREST 

To put it more clearly, who will be the owner/master of one of humanity's greatest breakthroughs? For whose benefit will it be used? While there is currently significant monopolization in the ownership of the means of production, will these types of technologies further increase the disproportion in income distribution, or will they help to balance it? As in the scenario, will the owner of the means of production eventually demand restrictions on these technologies because they can no longer find customers to buy what they produce?

Will concepts like planning, public interest, and statism, which have begun to be dismissed as outdated, become more important and relevant from today onwards? 

I believe this should be the foundation of all discussions surrounding artificial intelligence.

I am sharing the link below to the interview featuring 12Punto's esteemed contributors (Prof. Dr. Barış Doster / Prof. Dr. Cem Sefa Sütcü / Prof. Dr. Gökhan Arslan) published on YouTube titled "When will Industry 5.0 arrive?"  I also recommend Prof. Dr. Daron Acemoğlu's article titled "Will artificial intelligence bring communism?" and the response written by Kuntay Gücüm I also find it useful to include the article titled "Yes, Artificial Intelligence brings communism."  They will provide insight into how the subject is evaluated from different perspectives. 

It is perfectly natural for some of us to see our professions and livelihoods in danger. However, we will certainly not return to the 18th century and engage in Luddism. There is no meaning or benefit in fighting against or opposing science and technology. The prerequisite for living in peace and prosperity is to find ways to share the wealth we produce fairly. Artificial intelligence and other technologies will only provide the benefits we desire when they are used for the common good of us all. At the stage we have reached, I believe that we cannot solve the problem of distribution without planning and public-mindedness.

https://www.medipol.edu.tr/sites/default/files/document/SD_54_82-85.sayfalar_Murat_Dincer_Cekin.pdf

https://youtu.be/ZbFW2PW-PzQ?si=p5sUS3SA0QgrT8JA

https://gazeteoksijen.com/yazarlar/daron-acemoglu/yapay-zeka-komunizm-getirir-mi-182253

https://www.teoridergisi.com/evet-yapay-zeka-komunizm-getirir