AI is creating America’s next underclass

The author contends that the defining societal divide of the next decade will be between those who can effectively command AI systems and those who cannot. The piece warns that without intervention, this gap will become entrenched, leading to a stratified society where AI skills determine economic opportunity.

The article highlights that current trends in AI adoption are exacerbating existing inequalities. Those with the skills to leverage AI tools gain increasing economic advantages, while those without such skills face growing marginalization. The author specifically uses the term 'underclass' to describe this group, emphasizing the permanence of the division if left unaddressed. The piece calls for the establishment of 'new social norms' to prevent this outcome, though it does not detail specific policy proposals or timelines. The opinion arrives amid broader discussions about AI's impact on employment and social stratification, noting that previous research shows AI disproportionately affects entry-level and routine jobs.

The author argues that the pace of AI development requires proactive societal adaptation rather than reactive measures. The piece does not cite specific data or studies but relies on general observations about technology-driven inequality. It concludes that without deliberate action, AI will deepen class divisions, potentially creating a permanent underclass disconnected from the digital economy. The opinion reflects growing mainstream concern about AI's social consequences, though it offers no concrete solutions beyond the call for new norms.