The AI Index Nobody Is Tracking: Why Storm Duncan Thinks It’s the Most Important AI Metric

There is little focus on the one variable that could ultimately dictate the success or failure of the AI-driven economy. Storm Duncan, from Ignatious, claims this variable to be the AI Anxiety Index. This index measures the level of anxiety in the general population regarding AI's impact on the economy, employment, and social structures.

He argues that no one is tracking this index as it should be, and its absence is a significant risk. This is particularly concerning for older workers, as AI has invalidated the "learn" phase of the traditional "learn, earn, return" work formula. The main problem is the difference in speed between AI advancements and the response from institutions tasked with managing its consequences.

This mismatch is causing rapid displacement in specific sectors, which the institutions handling the situation are not equipped to deal with efficiently. Duncan refers to this as "mass civil disruption" rather than civil war, emphasizing the potential social instability without adequate institutional response. The central question is whether the workforce has the capability to retrain and adapt quickly enough and if the government can respond quickly enough to prevent prolonged unemployment.

If these conditions aren't met, we might see significant social instability, and the AI Anxiety Index is what Duncan believes it is measuring: the visible gap between the pace of technological change and the pace of institutional adaptation. Although Duncan's argument appears pessimistic, he also sees an opportunity. Every major technological disruption has led to the creation of new industries around the problems it causes.

For instance, the internet created demand for cybersecurity, privacy law, and digital identity infrastructure. Similarly, AI is likely to create demand for retraining platforms, displacement monitoring tools, regulatory compliance systems, and workforce transition services. Hence, the AI Anxiety Index could serve as a leading indicator for where this new market opportunity will emerge.