AI's Impact Was Systematically Underestimated
ShakeelHashim · x · 2026-07-14
The core message of the shared post reveals that back in 2022, before GPTs became a mainstream concept, the OpenAI team began holding "roadshows" for economists and policymakers. While not economists themselves, they urged these groups to take the potential disruptions caused by AI seriously.
The author recalls that while almost all attendees were polite and watched the demos, the general consensus was, "Maybe, but it probably won't be that big of a deal, and everything will be fine." The author uses this anecdote to illustrate that many policymakers and economists likely still grossly underestimate both the timeline and the magnitude of AI's impact.
Related event: Economists warn AI’s economic shock may arrive faster(7 posts)→
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