Kerala CPI(M) secretary retracts his stand on Artificial Intelligence

While addressing a party conference here, the Left veteran wondered what the situation would be in the country if wealth concentrated in some hands, over 60 per cent of people become unemployed and their purchasing power is completely lost.

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI(M) Kerala secretary M V Govindan has retracted his observation that artificial intelligence (AI) will lead the way to socialism. He has now cautioned that the large scale job loss by AI will lead to revolutions.

Govindan's somersault came a day after the CPI(M)'s draft political resolution for the upcoming national Congress, that was released on Monday, stressed the need for regulating AI.

It was while addressing a party function in Kannur the other day Govindan made the interpretation that AI will lead the way to socialism. His logic was that with AI taking over 60 percent of jobs being done by human beings, they will lose the purchasing power. There will not be anyone to buy the products of the capitalists. That will lead the way to socialism at least by the next 100 to 200 years, he had said.

However, the CPI(M)'s draft political resolution stated that AI will affect many white collar jobs and fundamental right to privacy will also be affected as big companies collect personal data of individuals. "There is a critical need for robust regulation in AI development to ensure that it serves people’s interests and protects their rights," said the draft resolution.

This seems to have prompted the state secretary of the lone state where the party is in power to swallow own words.

Govindan said at a party function in Idukki on Tuesday that the growth of AI would lead to accumulation of wealth with the corporates who own AI tools. That will lead to big revolts and agitations against unemployment and other related issues, he said.