Years ago he warned of an automation crisis. Now, Andrew Yang warns that AI could eliminate 40 million jobs in the next decade.

Back in 2018, Andrew Yang cautioned that automation could destabilize society and potentially provoke public unrest. Today, he insists that the scenario he envisioned is becoming a reality, forecasting up to 40 million jobs at risk and advocating for a universal basic income (UBI) funded by the leading AI companies.

"We could be doing far more to support the millions of Americans who will be displaced," Yang emphasized in a recent interview.

Longstanding Concerns About Automation

Yang has consistently warned that automation would significantly disrupt the American labor market. Prior to his 2020 Democratic presidential campaign, he predicted that self-driving trucks alone might displace roughly a million predominantly male truck drivers with limited education. He told The New York Times in 2018 that such changes could "destabilize society" and even lead to "riots in the street."

Reflecting on his predictions, Yang told CNN's Michael Smerconish, "It's aging very, very well, unfortunately."

AI's Growing Impact on Jobs

Recent studies confirm that AI and automation are increasingly capable of performing a substantial portion of U.S. labor tasks. MIT's Iceberg Index reports that current AI technologies can already replicate skills equivalent to 11.7% of the U.S. workforce, representing about $1.2 trillion in wages across finance, healthcare, and professional services.

The New York Times, referencing Amazons internal plans, revealed that the company anticipates avoiding the hiring of over 600,000 U.S. workers due to automation, with the long-term goal of automating 75% of operations. Other major firms including Salesforce, Walmart, HP, IBM, and Fiverr have similarly cited AI as a factor in layoffs.

"About 44% of American jobs involve repetitive manual or cognitive tasks, making them susceptible to AI and automation," Yang stated. "This is happening right now."

Job Loss Projections

While pushing back against predictions of near-total unemployment, Yang estimates that if half of the vulnerable positions are phased out in the next decade, 30 to 40 million jobs could disappear, with devastating effects on communities nationwide.

Yang's Proposed Solution: Universal Basic Income

Yang advocates for a UBI of $1,000 per month for every adult American, financed by the companies that benefit most from AI's rapid expansion. He referenced suggestions from AI industry leaders like Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei about levying a "compute tax" on tech giants, which Yang believes could quickly generate substantial revenue.

He emphasized that while financial support alone cannot solve all societal issues, it is critical to prevent economic displacement from driving individuals toward radicalization.

"Without stability, millions risk being left behind," Yang warned. "We could be doing much, much more for the Americans who are going to be displaced."

Author: Sophia Brooks