Up until now, AI has primarily been used for humor and annoyance, with some people taking it lightly. Its economic risk has been the subject of some discussion, but little attention has been paid to its long-term impact on us and how we will manage it.
There have been numerous discussions about ChatGPT and other conceptual AIs, with only university professors openly expressing concerns. They argue that students using this AI for their papers are causing scientific confusion. Some claim that while AI-using individuals may perform well in training and midterms, they often struggle in the finals, indicating that they may not be learning effectively. This could have a significant impact on their future success.
Similarly, AI is seen as a menace to daily life in Bangladesh, but there hasn’t been much research on its impact, whether it’s large or small. There is a general consensus that the ready-made garment (RMG) industry will be negatively affected by AI, potentially leading to significant unemployment. While mass worker employment in other industries may be less obvious, routine machine work performed by workers today is at high risk of being replaced by artificial intelligence (AI).
According to a number of academics, it’s not just typical business economics that may affect workers, but also the absence of any significant lobbying or cultural interest groups advocating for their rights. According to US writer Peter Turchin, the collapse of traditional working-class interest-driven parties like the Democrats has contributed to the alienation of US workers. These marginalized workers are increasingly aligning themselves with unconventional leaders like Trump, who may lack the ability to influence policies that directly affect workers.
The decline of AIs, however, will impact the decline of the middle-class wealthy, including lawyers, doctors, and other experts, according to the West, which is not concerned about the staff. Concerned authors themselves have filed lawsuits against AI developers over trademark and other issues. They also inquire about whether people prefer AI or human intelligence and creativity.
The benefits of AI are known to RMG officials, and there is no reason not to explore the advantages of scientific progress. This is why they continue to operate. Mostafiz Uddin, the founder and CEO of the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE), highlighted the business reality in an article published in a prestigious English daily in 2016. He emphasized that instead of being trapped in the cycle of being known for “low-paid, low-skilled” labor, Bangladesh should aim to move up the value chain, provide more value to end users, and demand higher pay for higher levels of skills. This would involve retraining the current workforce for upcoming skills.
It’s clear that the owners of RMG businesses are anticipating an AI revolution and may embrace it. However, there’s no corresponding plan for the employees.
The recent minimum wage disputes, mayhem, and their outcomes all point to one of the reasons why the owners believe AI offers a better future. In essence, an RMG sector driven by advanced technology (AT) is free from labor unrest, encourages investment in skills and training, and enables the efficient production of high-quality goods. However, the real question is what will happen to the staff, who are not to blame for wanting this?
The biggest problem is the lack of a concrete plan. Hoping for the best without proper structural design is not a viable approach. Some governments, certainly not just their own, are struggling to address the situation of hundreds of thousands of workers losing their income. There is no global solution because this is a worldwide issue. As the Western world enters an extraordinary period in history, it may mark the beginning of the post-worker era.
None of the 11 million or more migrant workers, who not only send money home but also save billions of dollars by avoiding local goods and services, are mentioned when discussing the RMG sector. They are equally vulnerable as anywhere else. They perform the lowest-skilled jobs every day and are susceptible to displacement. A migrant worker’s chances of employment are even slimmer when AI has a significant impact on the global market because they are not citizens of the host nation. Although they offer convenience, they risk losing their jobs.
Most of the tasks they perform could be replaced by AIs and robots that can do the same tasks more efficiently and cost-effectively.
Bangladesh appears unaware of this issue, or if it is aware, it hasn’t formulated a specific strategy to address this impending threat. Preparing for the future requires proactive programs. While the tagline of “wise Bangladeshis” is commendable, it remains uncertain how it translates into actionable steps.
The world is changing, whether we like it or not. The Bangladeshi government’s efforts are operating at a pre-industrial level, which is inadequate. This underscores the need for the private sector to take a more active role in creating a forward-looking agenda, beyond just the business industry.