Your job, the planet, and everything: AI could change it all
Unpacking the International AI Safety Report and the Paris AI Summit
We keep hearing that AI is going to “transform everything,” but what does that actually mean? A new International AI Safety Report, released in late January, has some eyebrow-raising findings on everything from job losses to environmental impact. And if last week’s Paris AI Action Summit is any indicator, world leaders can’t decide whether to hit the brakes or press the accelerator.
Major disagreements on the world stage
During the summit, French President Emmanuel Macron urged a balanced approach (yes to innovation, but with guardrails). But the UK and US declined to endorse an “inclusive and sustainable” AI declaration backed by France, China, India, and dozens more nations. UK officials cited national security and global governance concerns, while US Vice President JD Vance said that regulation could “kill a transformative industry.”
What the International AI Safety Report tells us
The report was co-authored by world-renowned Canadian AI researcher Yoshua Bengio. It warns that, although AI’s potential benefits are enormous, they come with real risks. Here are some of the key takeaways:
1. AI and jobs… will a robot take your paycheque?
Reality check: About 60% of jobs in Canada, the US, and the UK could be affected by AI in some way, and half of those could see negative impacts.
Silver lining: Economists predict new job categories will appear, but only if we plan carefully. Countries like India are already pushing for upskilling programs to bridge the digital divide.
Why it matters: If your current role involves repetitive tasks like data entry or entry-level research, be prepared for changes. Though policymakers are waking up to the need for transitions and workforce training, my worry is that a recovery will be K-shaped, with many people finding themselves unqualified for jobs that require tech skills.
2. The environment: AI’s growing carbon footprint
Big picture: Data centres already make up 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with AI workloads accounting for nearly 28% of that power consumption.
Water woes: These vast server farms need huge amounts of water to keep cool.
Nuclear is having a resurgence: At the summit, Macron quipped, “There is no need to drill. It’s plug, baby, plug,” pointing to France’s nuclear energy as a “cleaner” power source.
Why it matters: The Paris summit flagged AI’s ballooning power needs, hinting that your future utility bills (and water usage) might be affected by AI’s appetite for resources.
3. The existential risks and emerging threats
Going rogue?: Experts are split on whether AI could become uncontrollable. Bengio believes today’s AI can’t plan far enough ahead to outwit us, but others—like Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei responded to the summit with warnings about security risks and responsible scaling.
Global cooperation: Demis Hassabis of Google’s AI division insists that “We all have to be on the same page about the future we’re working to create,” urging international alignment to manage potential unintended or deceptive AI behaviour.
Why it matters: Cybersecurity threats, deepfakes used for scams, and bioweapon research are all concerns. Yes, it’s intense. But we need to have the conversation now rather than ignore the warning signs.
The new tech nationalism
The Guardian reported a tense vibe in Paris, fuelled partly by Vance’s open caution against partnering with China, following last month’s reveal of a powerful new AI model by Chinese startup DeepSeek. Observers warn that, if nations compete instead of collaborate, we could see an AI arms race rather than responsible global stewardship.
The Musk factor
While Elon Musk wasn’t at the summit, he still made it all about him (or tried to, at least) by leading a near-$100 billion bid for OpenAI’s controlling non-profit board. CEO Sam Altman responded by declaring OpenAI “not for sale.” This high-stakes drama underscores how billionaires can shape AI’s future, sometimes overshadowing public interest debates.
Canada’s role: You can influence AI policy
If you live in Canada, here’s how you can get involved:
Contact your MP
Head to ourcommons.ca to find your federal representative. Ask where they stand on AI legislation and how they’ll support workforce transition and environmental safeguards.
Check in at the provincial level
Education, healthcare, and more are provincial matters. Your MPP can tell you if AI is making its way into local classrooms or health systems.
Keep tabs on innovation, science and economic development (ISED)
They’re shaping much of Canada’s AI framework. Sign up for newsletters, attend public consultations, and voice your opinions.
Support Canadian AI ethics groups
Montreal AI Ethics Institute or the Vector Institute do vital research on responsible AI. Following them or attending their events helps spread awareness and fosters better policy discussions.
AI is moving at warp speed, and while that’s exciting, it’s also a bit scary. The International AI Safety Report calls this a “crucial moment” in history. At the Paris summit, some countries favoured growth at any cost, while others pressed for safety measures first.
As everyday people using AI tools in everything from social media to job searches, we have a stake in how AI evolves. Sharing this newsletter, talking to friends and family about AI, and pushing policymakers for transparency and responsibility can steer AI toward the public good instead of profits alone.
Help train this newsletter's neural networks with caffeine! ⚡️ Buy me a coffee ☕️
Biweekly disruptions
Scarlett Johansson slams AI after fake video of celebrities giving Kanye West the finger goes viral (Independent) Scarlett Johansson condemned an AI-generated video that used her image to flip off Kanye West in response to his swastika-emblazoned Yeezy T-shirt. She said that while she has “no tolerance for antisemitism,” the larger threat is the unchecked spread of hate speech multiplied by AI, prompting a call to clamp down on deepfake abuses regardless of their message.
Alibaba to partner with Apple to support iPhones’ AI services offering in China (Globe and Mail) Apple is teaming up with Alibaba to power its iPhone AI services in China, marking a major win for Alibaba’s homegrown AI capabilities while potentially reversing Apple’s declining smartphone sales in the region. This move signals Apple’s broader AI strategy in a fiercely competitive market, where domestic rivals like Huawei and newcomers like DeepSeek have been gaining ground.
Google defends scrapping AI pledges and DEI goals in all-staff meeting (Guardian) Google executives told employees they’re scrapping diversity initiatives and removing their pledge not to develop AI for weapons or surveillance, citing the need to comply with political and legal pressures. This shift has sparked employee backlash over Google’s sudden departure from its previously stated values on ethics and inclusivity.