ORIGINAL ARTICLE
The rise of artificial intelligence, the fall of human wellbeing?
Yong Zhao,
Da Yin,
Lili Wang,
Yihua Yu,
Yong Zhao
School of Economics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
Search for more papers by this authorDa Yin
School of Economics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
Search for more papers by this authorLili Wang
Institute of International Economy, University of International Business and Economics, Beijing, China
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Yihua Yu
School of Applied Economics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
Correspondence
Yihua Yu, School of Applied Economics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorYong Zhao,
Da Yin,
Lili Wang,
Yihua Yu,
Yong Zhao
School of Economics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
Search for more papers by this authorDa Yin
School of Economics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
Search for more papers by this authorLili Wang
Institute of International Economy, University of International Business and Economics, Beijing, China
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Yihua Yu
School of Applied Economics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
Correspondence
Yihua Yu, School of Applied Economics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Concerns exist regarding the impact on our lives of the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Using a large dataset of 137 countries over the period 2005–2018 from multiple sources, we estimate the causal effect of AI on individual-level subjective wellbeing. Our identification strategy is inferred from the gravity framework and uses merely the variation in exogenous drivers of a country's AI development. We find a significant negative effect of AI on an individual's wellbeing, in terms of current levels or expectations of future wellbeing. The results are robust to alternative measures of AI, identification strategies, and sampling. Moreover, we find evidence of significant heterogeneity in the impact of AI on individual wellbeing. Further, this dampening effect on individual wellbeing resulting from the use of AI is more prominent among young people, men, high-income groups, high-skilled groups, and manufacturing workers.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT
There are no conflicts of interest to declare.
Open Research
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT
The dataset used in this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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