
Contents
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Introduction Introduction
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Collection and control of information Collection and control of information
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Labor market effects of AI Labor market effects of AI
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AI, communication, and democracy AI, communication, and democracy
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AI and Control of Information AI and Control of Information
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Too much data Too much data
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Data and unfair competition Data and unfair competition
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Behavioral manipulation Behavioral manipulation
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Labor Market Effects of AI Labor Market Effects of AI
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Excessive Automation and AI Excessive Automation and AI
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Direction of AI technology and its labor market consequences Direction of AI technology and its labor market consequences
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AI and human judgment AI and human judgment
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AI and Excessive Monitoring AI and Excessive Monitoring
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AI, Political Discourse, and Democracy AI, Political Discourse, and Democracy
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Echo chambers and polarization Echo chambers and polarization
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Perils of online communication Perils of online communication
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Big Brother effects Big Brother effects
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Automation, social power and democracy Automation, social power and democracy
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Other potential costs Other potential costs
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The Role of Technology Choice and Regulation The Role of Technology Choice and Regulation
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Conclusion Conclusion
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Appendix Appendix
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Model for Too Much Data Model for Too Much Data
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Model for Data and Unfair Competition Model for Data and Unfair Competition
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Model for Behavioral Manipulation Model for Behavioral Manipulation
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Model for Labor Market Consequences Model for Labor Market Consequences
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Model for AI and Human Judgment Model for AI and Human Judgment
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Model for AI and Excessive Monitoring Model for AI and Excessive Monitoring
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Model for Perils of Online Communication Model for Perils of Online Communication
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Model for Big Brother Effects Model for Big Brother Effects
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Model for Automation, Social Power and Democracy Model for Automation, Social Power and Democracy
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Notes Notes
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References References
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34 Harms of AI
Get accessDaron Acemoglu, Institute Professor, Department of Economics, MIT
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Published:18 July 2023
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Abstract
This essay discusses several potential economic, political, and social costs of the current path of AI technologies. I argue that if AI continues to be deployed along its current trajectory and remains unregulated, it may produce various social, economic, and political harms. These include: damaging competition, consumer privacy, and consumer choice; excessively automating work, fueling inequality, inefficiently pushing down wages, and failing to improve worker productivity; and damaging political discourse, democracy’s most fundamental lifeblood. Although there is no conclusive evidence suggesting that these costs are imminent or substantial, it may be useful to understand them before they are fully realized and become harder, or even impossible, to reverse, precisely because of AI’s promising and wide-reaching potential. I also suggest that these costs are not inherent to the nature of AI technologies, but are related to how they are being used and developed at the moment—to empower corporations and governments against workers and citizens. As a result, efforts to limit and reverse these costs may need to rely on regulation and policies to redirect AI research. Attempts to contain them just by promoting competition may be insufficient. *
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