In an interview on Wednesday, Jeff Bezos shared his thoughts on President Donald Trump, acknowledging Trump’s past ideas. “You’ve got to give him credit for some things,” he remarked.
Bezos described Trump as “a more mature, more disciplined version of himself” compared to his first term during the discussion with CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin.
“Mr. Trump had a lot of good ideas and was right about a lot of things,” the Amazon founder reiterated. “You have to give him credit where credit is due.”
Bezos emphasized his bipartisan approach, stating, “I’ve worked with every president before, and I intend to keep doing that—if they want me.”
He added, “Business leaders should provide input to the administration, regardless of the president. I’m on America’s side. It’s crucial for business leaders to be engaged.”
During the conversation, Bezos also highlighted artificial intelligence, noting that some fear AI will take away jobs. However, he thinks it might lead to “a labor shortage instead.”
He illustrated AI’s benefits with an analogy, saying, “It’s like digging in your basement with a shovel, and someone offers you a bulldozer.” Bezos further mused about how such advancements could enhance productivity in the economy.
He even forecasted that AI might result in an increase of single-income households. “Many dual-income families may see one person step back from the workforce. That’s part of the labor shortage,” he explained.
“Being more productive means you can afford more,” Bezos continued. “I predict deflation could happen if we effectively leverage this technology without imposing heavy regulations too soon.”
Offering another viewpoint, Bezos suggested that software engineers should reconsider their roles: “What truly matters is identifying problems and offering solutions. The code is merely a tool for that.”
“And that need won’t disappear,” he asserted. “Humans excel at solving problems, and they’ll collaborate with AI to enhance those efforts.” He concluded, “Instead of using shovels, think of it as utilizing bulldozers.”
