Washington, D.C. – Vice President JD Vance recently articulated a strong skepticism regarding the widespread fear of artificial intelligence (AI) causing mass unemployment, asserting that past and present globalization, trade, and immigration policies represent a more significant threat to American jobs. Vance drew a parallel between current anxieties surrounding AI and historical debates over automation, suggesting a similar misdirection of focus. His remarks underscore a continued emphasis on domestic economic policies.
Vance has consistently expressed optimism about AI's potential to augment human labor and boost productivity rather than replace it entirely. Speaking at various AI summits, he has criticized what he terms "doomsday narratives" from tech leaders who predict widespread layoffs due to AI. His stance suggests a belief that while AI will transform industries, a sudden, complete elimination of human labor is not imminent.
In a recent social media post, Vance directly challenged the prevailing narrative, stating, "In the 90s and 2000s, the argument was that job losses from globalization were all about automation. You’d hear people say “it’s not trade, it’s the robots.”" He contended that the link between automation and job loss was "very weak," with "most of the damage" instead stemming from "offshoring, outsourcing, and excess migration." He further clarified his view: "enhancing workers’ productivity is good for them; giving their job to a low wage foreigner is not."
Vance linked this historical perspective to current concerns, asserting, "All of the fear about AI causing mass unemployment serves to distract from the very real threat of continued job loss through dumb trade and immigration policies." He positioned President Trump’s economic approach as a corrective measure, aiming to "strike better trade deals, promote American exports, fix our immigration system, and invest in making workers more productive." This aligns with his long-standing critique of globalization, which he has argued stifles innovation by prioritizing cheap labor.
While downplaying the job destruction aspect of AI, Vance acknowledged other potential risks associated with the technology. He stated, "To be clear, there are a lot of risks with AI. Surveillance state, theft, fraud, privacy intrusions, political censorship, etc." However, he reiterated his core belief, concluding, "But I remain very skeptical AI is going to destroy everyone’s job."