Instead of waiting for the disruption of artificial intelligence to widen social and economic gaps, we must proactively equip citizens with the knowledge to use these tools to their advantage. Beyond community centers, schools must also adapt to this new reality. Without proactive policies, we risk another wave of economic displacement that could surpass the effects of previous industrial revolutions.
A concrete step that Mexico City could take is to leverage its Pilares community centers as learning hubs for artificial intelligence. As you read this, companies around the world are actively trying to integrate artificial intelligence into their operations, not only to improve efficiency but also to reduce their workforce. From automating repetitive tasks to enhancing creative work, literacy in artificial intelligence could empower local communities to remain competitive in an evolving labor market.
In various industries, companies are competing to harness artificial intelligence, with the promise of greater productivity and lower costs. Optimists argue that AI will create as many jobs as it eliminates. Future workers will need to understand artificial intelligence not only as consumers but as active participants who can leverage these tools for productivity and innovation. And that means empowering people, not replacing them.
Education and workforce training must be at the center of every discussion about artificial intelligence policies, but few governments are taking serious action. While some countries, like Singapore and Germany, are aggressively funding AI training programs, others, including the US and Mexico, are falling behind in preparing workers for this transition. Without these educational policies, we run the risk of an entire generation entering the labor market unprepared for the new digital landscape.
In industries such as finance, customer service, and software development, artificial intelligence tools are already managing tasks that previously required trained professionals. The true winners in this race for AI will not be those who build the best models but those who implement them most effectively. The effects of this economic transformation are still felt today in the political landscapes of the US and Mexico. Governments must implement AI-focused curricula in schools, ensuring that students graduate with the skills necessary to navigate an AI-driven economy.
The question is not whether AI will reshape the workforce; it already is. These spaces, designed to provide education and vocational training to disadvantaged communities, could be equipped with AI-ready computers and structured workshops to help people understand how to use these tools effectively. However, they seem blind to the economic shockwave that is coming. The real challenge is whether governments will rise to the occasion or leave millions unprepared for what lies ahead.
Now, we are facing a similar upheaval, but this time, it is not just blue-collar workers at risk but also white-collar professionals who once believed their jobs were immune to automation. Goldman Sachs estimates that AI could replace or significantly impact 300 million full-time jobs worldwide in the coming years. But it is far from the only one. A 2023 McKinsey report pointed out that AI-driven automation could impact up to 30 percent of work hours in the US economy by 2030, transforming industries more rapidly than governments can adapt.
This is not just about technology; it is about preparation. The clock is ticking. AI literacy must become an essential component of education, as important as reading, writing, and mathematics. In the United States, it is reported that Elon Musk is looking to replicate his strategy at X (formerly Twitter) of significantly cutting jobs, with plans to automate many processes currently handled by human workers. Governments are investing billions in AI development; China, for example, has committed more than $150 billion in AI investments by 2030, while the US is allocating tens of billions through various initiatives.
If history serves as a guide, waiting until the crisis strikes will be too late. When manufacturing was vastly optimized, more than 7 million jobs in the US manufacturing sector were lost between 1980 and 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, history suggests otherwise.
