[Global] OpenAI proposes 4-day workweek to tackle AI disruption

OpenAI has said the rapid advance of AI would require far-reaching economic and political reforms, including a public wealth fund, taxes on automated labour, and a potential four-day workweek, Business Insider reports.

The AI research and deployment company called for the reforms in a series of policy recommendations released on April 6.

OpenAI wrote, "We're beginning a transition toward superintelligence: AI systems capable of outperforming the smartest humans even when they are assisted by AI. No one knows exactly how this transition will unfold. At OpenAI, we believe we should navigate it through a democratic process that gives people real power to shape the AI future they want." 

It reportedly stated that the policy document offered a series of "initial ideas" to address the risk of "jobs and entire industries being disrupted" by the adoption of AI tools.

Among the core policy suggestions is that the government should encourage and incentivise employers to experiment with four-day workweeks with no loss in pay, and offer "benefits bonuses" tied to productivity gains from new AI tools.

In addition, the policy document suggests that lawmakers modernise the tax system and shift the tax base to corporate income and capital gains, as an alternative to relying on labour income and payroll taxes, which AI-related job losses could impact. It also recommends taxes related to automated labour.

Source: Business Insider

(Quotes via original reporting)

OpenAI has said the rapid advance of AI would require far-reaching economic and political reforms, including a public wealth fund, taxes on automated labour, and a potential four-day workweek, Business Insider reports.

The AI research and deployment company called for the reforms in a series of policy recommendations released on April 6.

OpenAI wrote, "We're beginning a transition toward superintelligence: AI systems capable of outperforming the smartest humans even when they are assisted by AI. No one knows exactly how this transition will unfold. At OpenAI, we believe we should navigate it through a democratic process that gives people real power to shape the AI future they want." 

It reportedly stated that the policy document offered a series of "initial ideas" to address the risk of "jobs and entire industries being disrupted" by the adoption of AI tools.

Among the core policy suggestions is that the government should encourage and incentivise employers to experiment with four-day workweeks with no loss in pay, and offer "benefits bonuses" tied to productivity gains from new AI tools.

In addition, the policy document suggests that lawmakers modernise the tax system and shift the tax base to corporate income and capital gains, as an alternative to relying on labour income and payroll taxes, which AI-related job losses could impact. It also recommends taxes related to automated labour.

Source: Business Insider

(Quotes via original reporting)