Is it ethical to train AI to then fire and replace us?
Today, I saw several times on X the case of Meta asking its employees to stay home because they were going to announce layoffs. These two statuses in particular caught my attention (Tweet 1) and (Tweet 2). – posts are about Meta layoffs
It seems that with the intention of helping companies (and a little bit of fear of not being fired), we are collaborating on a project that will replace us. So the question here is not "if" but "when". And presumably, if the employees refused, someone else would be found to do it.
Is there any way to object to AI training, which is preparation for our dismissal?
Are there any laws that can protect employees?
What can happen to the social system, people and their families if they lose their jobs day by day due to technological progress?
Replies
ZeroHuman.
I understand the fear, but this is how progress has always worked. It sounds harsh, but every major technological shift has destroyed some jobs and created others.
When factories, cars, electricity, computers, and the internet arrived, they all replaced parts of the old economy. Should factory workers 100 years ago have refused to work because someone’s uncle was still using horses to transport goods?
Probably not. The same happened with switchboard operators, typesetters, elevator operators, travel agents, and many other jobs. Some disappeared. Some changed completely. New industries appeared.
So I’m not sure the right question is: “What law can stop this?” Why should the law stop progress? The better question is: how do we make the transition less brutal for people and how can I and my family be better prepared?
Because yes, families will be affected. People will lose jobs. Some companies will behave badly. But new technologies also create new opportunities. Fifty years ago, how many people had “office jobs” compared to today? How many people worked in software, digital marketing, content, remote work? Almost none of that existed in the same way. Nobody could have predicted how much the definition of “work” would evolve.
Our goal should be to adapt faster and be better prepared.
minimalist phone: reduce your screentime
@byalexai I know that this is a part of (r)evolution, but then what are the jobs that are supposed to come? Because now it feels like on Earth is no online job left :D
ProdShort
What’s happening now feels different from previous AI waves because it is affecting people who thought they were relatively protected. Designers, engineers, support teams, analysts, marketers. Not just repetitive factory work ….
minimalist phone: reduce your screentime
@amraniyasser I am really afraid of what we want to do on the labour market. Any idea what? :D
ProdShort
@busmark_w_nika wish I had a clear answer 😂 I think we’re all trying to understand it in real time..One more “revolution” like chatgpt or AI agents, and suddenly everyone feels lost again 😄
minimalist phone: reduce your screentime
@amraniyasser I feel lost too, not gonna lie :D
This looks like some kind of global insanity, with business owners believing that LLMs can replace a human at a fraction of the cost - eventually it will strike back. Unfortunately, before striking back, this decision will impact many, many people who will lose their job. So I guess the question is not entirely about ethics, but also about something else I couldn't find the proper word for
minimalist phone: reduce your screentime
@sk_uxpin There is one exception: Starbucks fired AI after it wrongly labelled items or something like that :D
@busmark_w_nika hahaha, press F for respect :D
You should train AI and then be its overlord.
minimalist phone: reduce your screentime
@ajinsunny it would be cool if others wouldn't do the same :D
minimalist phone: reduce your screentime
@olivier_jury I think that people who wanna dominate the market need to be very passionate in many things, not just one.