Artificial intelligence isn’t coming—it’s already here. And while many focus on the promise of AI, I’m more concerned about the risk it poses to those at the bottom of the economic pyramid.
This week, at CONVERGE LIVE in Singapore, I spoke with CNBC’s Julia Boorstin and other esteemed panelists about the urgent need to prepare the working and middle classes for this rapidly evolving technology. AI is eliminating jobs right now—cashiers, grocery clerks, customer service reps—positions that have long been the foundation of economic mobility for millions. If we don’t act fast, millions more will find themselves left behind.
We’re not spending nearly enough time or resources on the people who need upskilling the most. Between now and 2030, if you don’t have an advanced degree, strong relationships, or an institution investing in your development, the world will move past you at breakneck speed.
Think about the horse and buggy in 1850. Within a decade of the automobile’s introduction, the horse was irrelevant. AI is that automobile. And if we’re not intentional about training people to operate in this new economy, we’re going to see a growing class divide that is neither sustainable nor acceptable.
The solution? Invest in people. We can’t cut our way out of a $36 trillion national debt, but we can grow the economy by expanding opportunity. If we trained and upskilled just 10-20% more of the population, that could add 3-4% to GDP every year for the next decade. That’s real, measurable impact.
We need businesses and governments to create apprenticeship pipelines, incentivizing companies to invest in their workforce through tax policies and strategic partnerships. Schools should be teaching financial literacy and entrepreneurship as core subjects so that young people are equipped to navigate an AI-driven future, not just survive it.
Right now, the gap between wealth creation and labor is growing wider. Money is making more money, while too many hardworking people struggle to climb the ladder. That is not sustainable. If we don’t bring people with us, they’ll fight us—or worse. And as history has shown, markets and economies hate noise and friction.
The path forward is clear: grow the economy, reduce waste, and give more people a stake in the future. When people have ownership, they have hope. And hope is what fuels real, lasting change.
Let’s get to work.