Chase became part of Mashable's Social Good team in 2020, focusing on digital activism, climate issues, accessibility, and media representation. Her writing reflects how these topics influence politics, culture, and fandom, often with a humorous touch.
California is keenly assessing the consequences of artificial intelligence on the job market, especially the potential job losses attributed to generative AI technology.
Governor Gavin Newsom is taking proactive measures to ensure that California is actively involved in addressing the implications of AI on employment. Today, he announced that the state will commence monitoring both ongoing and potential job losses resulting from generative AI. This initiative is part of an executive order aimed at better understanding how AI may reshape the workforce. The results will be made publicly available through a new tool called the California AI-Unemployment Tracker, which will provide monthly updates based on fresh work data.
Developed in collaboration with the California Policy Lab at the University of California, the tracker aims to provide clarity on these issues.
"AI is evolving at a rapid pace, and the worries of workers regarding its impact on their jobs are genuine. This new tool aims to transform speculation into concrete data, helping us comprehend the changes and find effective ways to assist workers who might be affected," stated Till von Wachter, co-author and faculty director at the California Policy Lab at UCLA.
Initial insights from the tracker don’t yet indicate significant job losses tied to AI. However, it highlights specific sectors and demographics at greater risk, particularly in technology and among workers in the Bay Area. The data suggests that those with college degrees who frequently engage with AI technologies could face the most substantial risks from AI’s growing presence in the workforce.
A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center revealed that approximately 20 percent of Americans reported using AI tools in their professional roles, with this trend being especially pronounced among workers under the age of 50 holding at least a bachelor's degree. Additionally, a worldwide survey by Mercer consulting indicated a staggering 99 percent of executive leaders anticipate AI will affect staffing levels within the next two years.
