AI is More Than Just a Tool, According to Wynton Hall
On Fox Business Network’s “Mornings With Maria,” Wynton Hall, the social media director at Breitbart News and author of Code Red: Left, Right, China, and the Race to Control AI, expressed his views on artificial intelligence (AI). He emphasized that AI isn’t merely a tool—it’s a significant power set to transform various aspects of life.
BARTIROMO: Wynton, it’s great to have you here. Thanks for joining us. We’re discussing the competition around AI, particularly between the US and China. Your book dives deep into this topic. But first, what do you think about the market response after President Trump suggested a five-day delay for military action against Iran? The Dow raised 905 points.
Hall: It’s a positive development for America and globally, and I believe everyone hopes for a peaceful resolution. This optimism is reflected in the market. And, by the way, this recent rally is also relevant to the AI sector, especially for companies like MagSeven, which significantly influence the S&P 500. Plus, with the national policy framework for AI, we’re setting the stage for future growth.
Bartiromo: I’d love to get your insights on the key points in your book, “Code Red.” The heat of AI competition with China is evident, especially with significant investments from the US in new tech and data centers. A Stanford University report highlights that the US has invested $109 billion in AI, compared to China’s $9.3 billion. What are your thoughts on that?
Hall: Absolutely, we can’t afford to lose this AI race. President Trump is spot on; we need him to succeed for a couple of reasons. First, the economic implications are crucial, as we’ve seen with the staggering $600 billion spend on Nvidia following the release of China’s Deep Seek R1 model. That’s the economic side.
From a national security standpoint, having the upper hand in AI translates to an advantage on the battlefield. Things like encryption, cybersecurity, and even missile system hacking are critically important. The stakes are high, especially with the Chinese Communist Party aiming for global dominance by 2030. As I mention in my book, we can defeat China while still holding onto American values—we certainly don’t want to become a surveillance state.
Bartiromo: What steps do we need to take to achieve that? What are the main lessons from your book?
Hall: A key takeaway is recognizing that AI isn’t just a tool; it’s a transformative force. We need to prepare for how it will change everything, from education to warfare. It’s also essential for individuals to ready themselves financially. In the future, we might teach our kids not just how to find jobs, but how to create them, which speaks to entrepreneurship. Those who harness AI early will likely see significant economic benefits, both personally and on a national level.
Bartiromo: And how does this affect jobs? Many worry that AI may eliminate certain roles, yet there seem to be new opportunities emerging that don’t require advanced degrees—like in construction and electrician work. What’s your take?
Hall: Exactly, Maria! We’re seeing growth in sectors focusing on construction for AI data centers, with wages in some cases rising by 30% for jobs like drywalling and HVAC. There’s a growing trend of AI impacting white-collar jobs as well. Voices like Dario Amodei have indicated that in 12 months, we might see 50% of entry-level white-collar positions disappear. That’s concerning for recent graduates burdened by loans.
Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleiman has also suggested that many white-collar positions could be automated in the next year to 18 months. Not every job will vanish, but many tasks are at risk of being replaced. The key will be how swiftly companies adopt this technology and prepare their workforce.
I refer to this as a “Code Red Moment,” signaling urgency. We need to establish norms and principles as we navigate these changes, especially for our youth and families. The job landscape will be vastly different moving forward.
Bartiromo: Thanks for those insights, Wynton. It’s been a pleasure having you on the show.
