‘AI could displace jobs at a massive scale’: Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah warns

Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah delivered a stark warning about artificial intelligence’s potential to displace millions of jobs worldwide during a Vatican event focused on AI ethics. Speaking alongside Pope Leo XIV’s first AI-focused encyclical, Olah described the current phase of AI development as 'a scary moment,' emphasizing the urgent need for governments, civil society, and religious institutions to shape policies alongside tech companies. Olah argued that AI development should not remain solely under corporate control, as commercial and geopolitical pressures often conflict with public interests. Even well-intentioned researchers, he noted, may prioritize competition over ethical considerations, accelerating risks without adequate safeguards. He stressed that oversight is critical as AI reshapes industries like software, finance, education, and customer service. Job displacement emerged as a central concern, with Olah warning that AI could eventually perform tasks handled by millions of workers. He framed supporting displaced workers as a 'moral imperative,' highlighting the risk of widening global economic gaps if AI benefits remain concentrated in wealthy nations and corporations. Current AI advancements are heavily centralized, he said, leaving vulnerable populations behind. Founded in 2021 by former OpenAI employees, Anthropic has positioned itself as a leader in AI safety and responsible deployment. Olah’s remarks align with growing global debates over managing AI’s opportunities and risks, particularly as its influence expands unchecked. The Vatican event underscored the need for collaborative governance to mitigate AI’s potential harms while ensuring equitable progress.