A coalition of over 200 economists, AI researchers, and Nobel laureates has issued a joint statement, "We Must Act Now," warning of an unprecedented economic transformation driven by artificial intelligence within the next decade, while separately, Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the AI giant of stealing hardware trade secrets.
The "We Must Act Now" statement, signed by executives from major AI companies like Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI, suggests that AI could bring about changes larger than the Industrial Revolution but in a vastly shorter timeframe. This transformation carries risks, including significant job displacement, alongside opportunities for improved living standards. Erik Brynjolfsson, a Stanford economist who helped organize the statement, said his goal was to encourage economists and policymakers to take the disruptive potential of AI more seriously, expressing concern that society might not be ready for the "tsunami that’s coming."
While a current jobs crisis has not materialized, with the Yale Budget Lab reporting no clear occupational shifts linked to AI, emerging data indicates a potential erosion of entry-level work. Stanford's Canaries Dashboard shows a decline in jobs most exposed to AI and a 2.7 percent shrinkage in early-career positions this year, contrasting with growth in mid-career roles. This trend is exemplified by a 15 percent increase in US software development job postings since February 2025, with 71 percent of these being for senior-level positions, suggesting AI is increasingly handling tasks previously performed by junior staff.
The signatories of the statement emphasize the urgent need for economists, policymakers, and technology leaders to understand the economics of transformative AI and to establish incentives, guardrails, and institutions to guide AI for societal benefit. Key priorities include gathering better data to accurately assess AI's impact on employment. Proposed solutions from experts include overhauling unemployment insurance, funding worker relocations, implementing wage insurance, and offering government incentives for hiring younger workers, alongside bipartisan support for a sovereign wealth fund funded by AI companies.
Adding to the week's significant AI news, Apple has sued OpenAI, alleging a coordinated scheme to steal hardware trade secrets. The lawsuit names Tang Tan, OpenAI's Chief Hardware Officer and a former 24-year Apple veteran, accusing him of soliciting unreleased device components from job candidates and coaching staff on evading Apple's security. Another former Apple engineer, Chang Liu, is accused of downloading confidential technical documents onto a company laptop he failed to return.
Apple's complaint highlights that over 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI, stating that OpenAI's "nascent hardware business now rests on the shakiest of foundations." OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri denied interest in other companies' trade secrets, saying the company is "focused on building innovative technology." The lawsuit, which also includes an allegation that OpenAI tricked an Apple partner into revealing a secret metal-finishing technique, could significantly impede OpenAI's hardware development and cast a shadow over its planned initial public offering. Sam Altman, OpenAI's CEO, responded to speculation about his fear of Apple by posting, "i am not afraid of apple," adding, "but i have tremendous respect for them. s-tier company."