More than 200 economists, researchers, and technology leaders—including 15 Nobel Prize winners—are calling on governments around the world to begin preparing for the economic impact of artificial intelligence, warning that the technology could reshape society far more quickly than previous industrial revolutions.
In a public statement released Monday, the group urged policymakers to take a proactive approach to understanding how AI could affect jobs, productivity, wages, education, and economic growth. Rather than waiting for major disruptions to occur, the signatories said governments should begin developing strategies now to help workers and businesses adapt.
The statement emphasizes that artificial intelligence has the potential to deliver enormous economic benefits while also creating significant challenges if the transition is poorly managed. Unlike past technological revolutions that unfolded over decades, the experts argue that AI could transform industries and labor markets within just a few years.
“Steam, electricity, and computers each gave societies decades to adapt. AI may give us only a few years,” the statement says, underscoring the need for governments, businesses, and researchers to work together on policies that support long-term economic stability.
While experts continue to debate exactly how AI will affect employment, the group agreed that preparation should begin immediately. They argue that thoughtful planning today could help societies capture AI’s benefits while reducing the economic disruption that often accompanies major technological change.
