Dear editor:

Artificial intelligence and wealth inequality — two issues that may not seem connected at first glance — are in fact deeply linked. For years, some people have blamed illegal immigrants for taking their jobs, but soon Americans may be pointing their fingers in a new direction. Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation could soon severely impact the working class.

It’s not only blue-collar jobs at risk — the assembly line and factory workers being replaced with automation and robotics — but also white-collar professions who may face the biggest hit. From web designers to accountants, even actors and musicians now face the threat of AI replacing them as companies look for cheaper, more efficient methods of production.

AI doesn’t complain, take breaks or ask for time off. It doesn’t need health care, retirement benefits or vacation days. It doesn’t have office disputes, doesn’t require human resources, and doesn’t pay income tax or Medicare. It’s easy to see why companies are rushing to integrate AI into their workforce.

As AI becomes more prevalent, its impact on everyday Americans — and workers around the globe — is becoming clearer. One of the biggest issues is how it concentrates power and wealth in the hands of a few tech billionaires. As the gap between the “haves” and “have-nots” grows, inequality in wealth distribution continues to rise, leaving ordinary Americans struggling to keep up.

Companies may still operate — and perhaps even improve — without human imperfection, but the number of workers needed to do the job will shrink drastically due to AI, robotics and automation. Amazon, the nation’s second-largest employer with nearly 1.2 million workers, is reportedly aiming for 75% automation, according to internal documents obtained by The New York Times.

A report from the U.S. Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee warns that AI and automation could eliminate nearly 100 million American jobs over the next decade, according to Axios. The report lists several occupations at high risk: fast-food and counter workers (around 89%), truck drivers (47%), and accountants (64%), according to Newsweek. While some experts believe new technologies could create other types of employment, the transition could still devastate working families.

How this plays out will depend heavily on government policy, corporate decisions and regulation. The Trump administration has been vocal in its support for AI development and has reduced regulations to accelerate growth. Recently, the president hosted several tech billionaires and CEOs at the White House, promising large investments in the technology sector. 

However, regulation remains a challenge because AI is not just an American issue — it’s a global one that requires international cooperation. Some critics argue that these reports overstate the threat, suggesting that AI may displace jobs rather than eliminate them altogether, as markets often adapt over time. But even partial displacement can destabilize millions of lives.

Another emerging problem is the surge in energy consumption driven by AI. The vast data centers that power large language models and automated systems require massive amounts of electricity, which could lead everyday consumers to face sharp increases in their energy bills. The Guardian reports that electricity bills have risen 11% during Trump’s second term, despite his claim that he would “cut electricity prices in half by the start of 2026.” As AI use continues to expand, electricity demand — and the costs for households — are expected to climb even higher.

AI is also reshaping the political landscape. With the rise of AI-generated videos, memes and images, propaganda is easier than ever to create — and much harder to detect. Anyone with a smartphone can now produce convincing deepfakes and doctored photographs. In a time of extreme political division, this can have catastrophic consequences for public opinion.

The White House and President Trump’s official social media accounts have become major purveyors of AI-generated content. Images and videos posted on the president’s Truth Social account or the White House’s X account reach millions of Americans. Deepfake videos depicting fabricated or obscene scenes — such as the president flying over and defecating on protesters, or a fake speech by Sen. Chuck Schumer — highlight just how pervasive and dangerous AI has become in modern politics. Even recently, an AI deepfake of Neil deGrasse Tyson surfaced, falsely showing him claiming that the Earth is flat; he responded with a video clarifying that he never said that. What happens when we can’t trust what we see with our own eyes?

AI holds enormous potential, but it also poses enormous risks. Without strong regulation and ethical oversight, it could deepen inequality, fuel misinformation, and wage an invisible war against the very people who built the modern economy — the working class.

Schyler Borders 

Powell