LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor: AI'S IMPACT ON EMPLOYMENT Thank you for the excellent intention and effort in presenting Nils Nilsson's article on the long-term socioeconomic aspects of increasing application of artificial intelligence. Please let me offer some thoughts on the spread of technology to the third world. In the article, James Albus is quoted with agreement in saying that military conflict is inevitable if the current population explosion is not matched by a corresponding increase in affluence based on improved industrial productivity. The expansion of affluence suggested to avoid more human tragedy is certainly urgent. But it is critical that control of the sources and types of affluence are local to the areas affected.