Sector contributing $12 trillion to GDP overlooked by government officials: opinion

Have you noticed the updates on your technology lately? If you have, maybe the new AI addition to Snapchat came to mind, or maybe the Meta AI server on Instagram. Maybe you even noticed the new AI feature on google. Whatever you have or haven’t noticed, the truth is clear: AI is taking the world by storm, taking jobs ranging from search engines to customer service. Technology enhancements are not unique to AI, though; there have been many new inventions that have taken human jobs, like the self-checkout computers at grocery stores and kiosks at fast food restaurants. Whether the technology takeover is a good or bad thing is unrelated, but the question is what jobs are safe?

Members of the "Essential Economy," the Ford company, www.automotiverhythms.com.

There is a division of the economy that will never get swept into AI’s current, and it is called the “Essential Economy”. This term was coined by Jim Farley, the Ford CEO, who explained that jobs like mechanics, construction workers, and first responders will never be stolen by AI. This is because this section of the economy requires labor more than thought, making it the perfect opportunity for the middle class, not AI, to shine. The “Essential Economy” may not seem like a massive aspect of the general economy, but it is. Composed of 95 million Americans, the “Essential Economy” generates $12 trillion in GDP, making it one of the most important aspects of the American economy.  

However, the American government’s focus on the “Essential Economy” is diminishing, while the emphasis on high class careers has increased. This is dangerous for many reasons, but the main one is that some of the white collar careers can easily be taken by AI, so it would be foolish to center the American economy on something that is temporary. In order to reverse this trend, the US government should reinvest in these hand labor jobs that can be done by humans. The government can do this by investing in trade schools, simplifying bureaucratic regulations, and expanding training programs for these careers. 

Not only will rebuilding the “Essential Economy” boost the annual American GDP, but it will also lower the costs of agricultural, manufacturing, and construction jobs. This would greatly benefit the average American consumer and will redefine what it is to have an American career.