The once rabid anxiety that AI was going to decimate the working class through massive layoffs and other economic pain is starting to fade, and deservedly so. This reflects the vitality of the American economy and the optimistic approach now being taken on national AI policy, in marked contrast to the maniacal fear-based approach the Biden administration had.
In June, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas reported, “There is very little evidence of artificial intelligence taking away jobs on a large scale to date. Correlation between AI exposure and the projections of job growth or decline over the next decade remains low.”
In fact, AI is presenting astounding opportunities and not just to the tech folks driving these changes. Early indications are that AI will be transformational to America’s working class, which is also a pillar of the Trump administration’s AI approach.
In outlining America’s AI approach for the world at a February 10 speech in Paris, Vice President J.D. Vance focused on the benefits to working Americans. He said, “We believe and we will fight for policies that ensure that AI is going to make our workers more productive, and we expect that they will reap the rewards with higher wages, better benefits, and safe and more prosperous communities.”
Below are seven ways that vision is becoming reality for the working class.
New jobs and economic infrastructure via the construction of datacenters. Since President Trump took office, the administration has announced over $600 billion in new datacenter and related construction. As the president said during a July 15 event in Pennsylvania announcing $92 billion in investments for the state, this means “higher wages and more opportunity for millions of energy workers, HVAC technicians, engineers, electricians, and the hard-working citizens who make our country run.”
Compounding regional economic effects. Datacenters provide both high-paying jobs and uplift surrounding communities. In Mississippi, for example, Amazon Web Services is building two large datacenters that will employ 1,000 people. The economic impact of these facilities, that is, the products and services the facilities and people working there will need, will add 2,700 more jobs throughout the state. This means an additional $3.3 billion annually for the state’s economy.
Small businesses are better able to thrive. An April survey by the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council found 58 percent of small businesses are actively deploying AI tools. This helps with key functions such as branding materials, financial management, customer support, and e-mail marketing.
More education funding and opportunities. AI investments mean more funds for schools, and not only because they substantially increase the tax base. In Pennsylvania, as part of its $25 billion investment, Google is forming partnerships with leading employers, universities, skilled trades, and manufacturers to train workers and students with key AI skills. A White House AI Education program has also secured four-year, major commitments from corporations and other organizations to fund AI education in schools.
Empowerment on legal issues. Many working-class Americans are priced out of basic legal services. AI enables people to better understand their legal situation and become educated. As such, they can decide whether and what type of legal action likely makes sense, and be better prepared to speak with an attorney.
Better medical care. AI also leads to medical empowerment. It will soon be common for those visiting doctors and hospitals to get AI-generated, transcribed discussions. Enhanced medical communication leads to better care as it lessens the likelihood that important items will be misunderstood or forgotten.
Strengthened economic security vis-à-vis China. AI is the driving economic issue of our time. A strong AI sector, in addition to the direct benefits it provides, will also help attract and bring basic and sophisticated manufacturing jobs to the United States, providing more skilled, middle-class jobs.
With AI, tech professionals and investors typically get the attention. The reality, though, is that AI can and will benefit the whole of American society, and it is time for more of the attention on the issue to turn there. The vice president understands that AI can and should be a powerful tool for helping the working class overcome decades of economic challenges.
The rest of us should also take that to heart.
Paul Steidler is a Senior Fellow with the Lexington Institute, a public policy think tank based in Arlington, Virginia.