Policymakers divided over response to AI job loss fears | Technology
Policymakers divided over response to AI job loss fears | Technology
Publish Date: 2026-05-30 07:00:00
Source Domain: www.sfexaminer.com
When it comes to how California should address concerns that the adoption of artificial-intelligence technologies will lead to the mass elimination of jobs, there seems to be a divide among state policymakers.
In one camp are those who see an impending disruption in the employment landscape as all but inevitable. They’re pushing for policies to monitor and react to it, such as by increasing job training or even by offering some form of ongoing income for displaced workers.
The other camp sees a much more active role for government in determining how and where AI and related technologies can be used and in ensuring that at least some critical jobs continue to be done by humans.
As president of the California Federation of Labor Unions, Lorena Gonzalez is among those pushing government to have a more interventionist role when it comes to AI in the workplace.
“Accepting … catastrophic job displacement is a political choice,” Gonzalez said.
That philosophical divide in how to tackle AI’s potential impact on jobs could be seen playing out in Sacramento over the past two weeks.
On the other side were state legislators who gave initial approval to a handful of bills this week that are explicitly designed to ensure humans continue to play key roles in health-care decisions, educating students, and ensuring the safety of the state’s electrical and gas systems.
Lorena Gonzalez, president…
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