How can the stock market be rising to record levels while jobs and wages are going nowhere, most Americans are paying higher prices for just about everything, and consumer sentiment is in the dumps?
Answer: Stock prices reflect corporate profits, which have risen to record levels. And corporate profits are soaring for two big reasons:
- Corporations have more monopoly power than ever.
- Corporations are using artificial intelligence (AI)
Source: The AI Job Apocalypse Is Already Happening Robert Reich
While I don’t believe full automation of the economy, or even mass unemployment, is likely, I don’t totally discount the possibility. A.I. is a different kind of technology than what has come before: Perhaps its flexibility and conversational nature will make it a substitute when previous tools have proven to be complements. What’s likelier, though, is that A.I. doesn’t take all, or most, of the jobs. But it does take some. And that, strangely, is the possibility we’re least prepared for. The New York Times
1. First-response writing: What is the real problem?
Read both quotations carefully. Then write a short response to this question:
Is the main danger AI itself, or the way corporations and governments respond to AI?
In your answer, refer to both quotations. You should explain whether you think the problem is technological, economic, political, or social.
A strong answer will not simply say “AI is good” or “AI is bad.” It will explain who benefits, who loses, and who has the power to decide how AI is used.
2. Vocabulary and concept check
Define the following terms in your own words. Then explain why each term matters in the debate about AI and jobs.
- Corporate profits
- Monopoly power
- Consumer sentiment
- Automation
- Mass unemployment
- Wages
- Universal Basic Income
After defining the terms, choose the three most important terms for understanding Reich’s argument. Explain your choices.
3. Comparing the two arguments
Create a comparison table with three columns:
| Question | Robert Reich | New York Times writer |
|---|---|---|
| What does the writer think AI is doing to jobs? | ||
| How serious is the threat? | ||
| Who or what is mainly responsible? | ||
| What solution, if any, is suggested? | ||
| What tone does the writer use? |
Then write one paragraph answering this question:
Which writer sounds more alarmed, and which writer sounds more cautious? How can you tell?
Use at least two short quotations from the texts.
5. Rhetorical analysis: How do the writers persuade us?
Analyze the language of both quotations.
Answer these questions:
- What is the effect of the phrase “AI Job Apocalypse” in Reich’s title?
- Why might Reich begin with a question about the stock market rising while ordinary people struggle?
- What is the effect of the phrase “I don’t totally discount the possibility” in the New York Times quotation?
- Which writer uses more urgent language?
- Which writer sounds more measured or uncertain?
- Which style do you find more persuasive, and why?
Then write a paragraph beginning with this sentence:
The two writers are not only disagreeing about AI; they are also using different rhetorical strategies to shape how the reader feels about the future.
6. Discussion task: Who should benefit from AI?
In small groups, discuss the following question:
If AI makes companies more productive and profitable, who should receive the benefits?
Each group must consider at least four possible beneficiaries:
- Company owners and shareholders
- Workers
- Consumers
- The government
- People who lose jobs because of AI
- Future students and young workers
After discussion, each group should produce a short policy statement of 4–6 sentences beginning:
We believe the benefits of AI should be shared by…
The statement must include one practical proposal.
7. Debate: Is Reich right to call this an apocalypse?
Debate motion:
“Robert Reich is right: the AI job apocalypse is already happening.”
Divide the class into three groups:
Group A: Agree
Argue that AI is already damaging workers’ job security, wages, and bargaining power.
Group B: Disagree
Argue that AI will change jobs but not destroy work on a massive scale.
Group C: Judges
Evaluate which side uses stronger evidence, clearer reasoning, and more precise language.
Each side must use both articles. Students should be encouraged to acknowledge complexity. For example, a student may argue that AI is not causing mass unemployment yet, but that it may still be weakening entry-level jobs, wages, or worker confidence.
8. Writing task: Opinion paragraph
Write a structured opinion paragraph answering this question:
Should governments regulate how companies use AI to reduce jobs?
Use this structure:
- Topic sentence: State your opinion clearly.
- Evidence from Reich: Refer to his argument about profits, monopoly power, or layoffs.
- Evidence from the New York Times article: Refer to the more cautious view that AI may take some jobs rather than all jobs.
- Your reasoning: Explain what this means for workers and society.
- Concluding sentence: End with a clear policy recommendation.
Possible sentence starters:
- Reich’s argument suggests that…
- The New York Times writer is more cautious because…
- Even if AI does not cause mass unemployment, governments should…
- The most serious danger is not simply automation, but…
Essay question
AI may not destroy all jobs, but it may change the balance of power between workers and corporations. Discuss this claim with reference to Robert Reich’s article and the New York Times opinion piece.
Students should:
- Explain Reich’s argument about profits, monopoly power, wages, and AI.
- Explain the New York Times writer’s more cautious view.
- Discuss whether partial job loss may still be a serious social problem.
- Consider possible policy responses.
- Reach their own conclusion.
Comprehension Questions both articles 11 and on are from the New York Times.
- What economic contradiction does Reich identify at the beginning of the article?
- According to Reich, why are corporate profits rising?
- How does monopoly power allow companies to raise prices?
- How might monopoly power weaken workers’ bargaining power?
- What are noncompete agreements, and why does Reich criticize them?
- How does Reich connect AI to layoffs?
- Why might Wall Street reward companies that cut jobs?
- What examples of companies cutting jobs does Reich mention?
- What does Reich mean when he says wealth is being redistributed from workers to owners of capital?
- What four policies does Reich say Democrats should support?
- What possibility does the writer say they do not completely dismiss?
- According to the writer, why might AI be different from earlier technologies?
- What does the writer mean by saying that earlier tools often acted as “complements” to workers?
- What is the difference between AI replacing all or most jobs and AI taking some jobs?
- Why does the writer suggest that mass unemployment is not the most likely outcome?
- What outcome does the writer think is more likely than full automation of the economy?
- Why does the writer describe partial job loss as the possibility society is “least prepared for”?
- How does the writer’s tone differ from someone who believes an “AI job apocalypse” is already happening?
- What does the phrase “A.I. is a different kind of technology” suggest about the writer’s view of the future?
- What main warning does the article give about the relationship between AI and unemployment?
