Much has been written about the dangers of artificial intelligence. While attention has often focused on the so-called “singularity”—the point at which machines surpass human intelligence and potentially threaten humanity—this scenario remains speculative and distant compared to the present-day impacts of AI, agents, and large language models (LLMs).
This post will focus on two immediate and pressing societal impacts: changes in the workforce and the growing difficulty of verifying the truth of news content.
AI and the Workforce
The influence of AI on employment is progressing much faster than expected. Leading technology firms now attribute significant portions of their coding to LLMs. In May 2025, Microsoft announced 2,000 job cuts, with software engineering representing more than 40% of those positions. Amazon’s CEO has warned that, as the company incorporates more AI tools and agents, its corporate workforce will shrink over the coming years.
We are only witnessing the beginning of this transformation. Fewer traditional white-collar jobs will be available, and graduates in previously “safe” fields—such as engineering, law, and healthcare—will find fewer opportunities. Societal consequences may include increased discontent among the educated, unemployed, and downward pressure on industries supported by high-skilled, well-paid workers. For instance:
- Demand for education in these fields may decrease.
- Fewer professionals in law, medicine, and engineering could lead to higher costs for human-provided services.
- More reliance on AI-driven decisions in critical sectors could diminish human oversight.
- If LLMs primarily recycle existing knowledge rather than create new breakthroughs, innovation itself may slow, leaving society poorer in the long run.
Despite these challenges, positive outcomes are possible. Many highly skilled individuals could respond to job displacement by creating new companies or innovations. Greater use of AI systems could extend high-quality services to under served or rural communities. Routine, machine-generated decisions may become more reliable and accessible for all.
The Loss of Shared Understanding
A more subtle, but perhaps more damaging, impact of AI is the erosion of a shared foundation of truth. The spread of false information, already a concern during the 2016 US presidential election, has only accelerated with AI’s ability to generate realistic text, images, and video.
False content now permeates every aspect of society—commerce, healthcare, science, politics—with examples including:
- An uptick in AI-generated or AI-assisted research papers, some lacking scientific rigor.
- Deepfake videos, such as fabricated footage of protests or conflicts, appearing in news reports.
- The use of AI-generated content as evidence in geopolitical disputes.
These developments deepen societal polarization and promote the spread of misinformation, which gains legitimacy with repeated sharing. As traditional news organizations shrink and fewer journalists are devoted to fact-checking, it becomes more difficult for individuals to find credible information. The “confirmation bias machine” of the internet reinforces beliefs, making each person’s perception of reality more fragmented and isolated.
A healthy society depends on a shared vision grounded in facts. Common values and beliefs foster cooperation and a sense of belonging. For AI to enhance this shared understanding, it must be grounded in factual, well-vetted sources, relying on diverse, independent editorial oversight wherever possible.
Conclusion
As artificial intelligence becomes deeply embedded in our daily lives, society stands at a crossroads. The same technologies that threaten traditional jobs and blur the boundaries of truth also hold the promise of new opportunities and more equitable access to services. Navigating these changes responsibly will require a combination of innovation, adaptability, and a renewed commitment to shared facts and values. How we address the challenges and harness the benefits of AI today will shape not only our workforce and institutions, but also the foundations of our collective understanding for generations to come.
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