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Can Artificial Intelligence Create A Limitless Economy?

Jan 1, 2022 * Sanjit Singh Dang, PhD

January 2, 2023

The size of an economy is measured by GDP (Gross Domestic Product). GDP is calculated by adding up the value of all goods and services produced within a country's borders in a given year.

This includes the value of goods and services produced by both the government and the private sector. GDP is typically measured in monetary terms, using current market prices for goods and services. GDP is used as a measure of the size and strength of an economy, as well as its overall level of economic activity. It is often used to compare the economies of different countries and to track economic growth over time.

There are several traditional ways to increase the GDP:

*Encourage innovation and entrepreneurship: Encouraging people to start their own businesses and come up with new ideas can lead to the creation of new products and services, increasing the size of the economy.

*Promote free trade: Removing barriers to trade can allow for a greater exchange of goods and services, leading to increased economic growth.

*Invest in education and training: By investing in education and training, individuals can develop new skills and knowledge, leading to greater productivity and economic growth.

*Foster a supportive business environment: A supportive business environment, including access to capital, regulatory support, and a skilled workforce, can encourage businesses to start and grow, leading to economic growth.

*Promote sustainable development: Sustainable development, which takes into account economic, social, and environmental factors, can lead to long-term economic growth.

*Encourage collaboration and cooperation: By fostering a culture of collaboration and cooperation, businesses and individuals can work together to create new opportunities, leading to economic growth.

All of the above rely upon a skilled human workforce to increase the size of the economy. Generally speaking, a larger population tends to correspond with a larger economy, all else being equal. This is because a larger population can provide a larger pool of labor, consumers, and producers, which can contribute to economic growth. For example, a larger population may allow for a greater diversity of goods and services to be produced, as there will be a larger demand for these goods and services from the larger population. A larger population may also allow for economies of scale to be achieved, in which the cost of producing a good or service decreases as the volume of production increases.

Now, let's explore what happens if AI race enters the world. How does this new species contribute towards GDP? One way to size the economy is to multiply GDP per capita by the human workforce. So, the size of an economy is limited by the number of working beings. What if the number of working beings becomes unlimited by including the ‘AI beings’ as part of the workforce? Do we start to approach a limitless economy - an economy that has no bounds on its GDP? Let’s delve into this by learning the impact of existing (non-AI) robots in the industry as a small step towards the AI workforce-based limitless economy.

Robots already contribute to the economy in several ways:

*Increased Productivity: Robots can work 24/7 without getting tired or needing breaks, resulting in increased productivity and output. This can lead to increased profits for businesses and contribute to economic growth.

*Job Creation: While robots can replace certain jobs, they can also create new jobs in the fields of programming, maintenance, and supervision.

*Cost Reduction: Automation can lead to cost savings for businesses through reduced labor costs and increased efficiency. These savings can be passed on to consumers in the form of lower prices, which can stimulate economic activity.

*Increased Efficiency: Robots can perform tasks faster and more accurately than humans, leading to increased efficiency and productivity in various industries. This can lead to increased competitiveness and economic growth.

*Innovation: The development and use of robots can lead to technological innovation and advances in various fields, which can drive economic growth.

Extrapolating the impact of robots on the size of an economy, we can say that the AI workforce can contribute to the economy by increasing productivity, reducing labor costs, and improving decision-making processes. AI can perform tasks faster and more accurately than humans, leading to increased efficiency and cost savings for businesses. Additionally, AI can analyze data and make informed decisions, helping companies make better business decisions and increase profits.

The development and implementation of AI technologies can also create jobs and stimulate economic growth. However, the extent to which the AI workforce contributes to GDP will depend on various factors, such as the size and adoption of the AI workforce, the type of tasks being performed, and the overall economic conditions of the country. Overall, the integration of AI into the workforce can lead to increased competitiveness and growth for businesses and the economy.