Jeff Bezos says AI will boost employment as Paris security detail sparks backlash

At the VivaTech technology conference in Paris, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos argued that the spread of artificial intelligence will not render human workers unnecessary. He stated, "I don't agree with the view that AI will make humans unnecessary; on the contrary, AI will create a labour shortage," adding that AI will lower barriers to production and innovation. Bezos also outlined Blue Origin’s plan to move polluting industry off Earth, citing asteroid and lunar resources.

Separate footage from the same event showed Bezos’s personal security team using forceful tactics while he walked through the streets, pushing by‑standers and drawing sharp criticism on social media. Viewers condemned the behaviour, with many commenting “What kind of arrogance is this?” The incident sparked a broader debate about the conduct of private security for high‑profile individuals.

The dual narrative highlights both Bezos’s optimistic outlook on AI’s economic impact and the public backlash over the perceived excesses of his security detail.