To the extent AI fills in for a deficit of labor then the comparison to Bastiat is apt (for this is how candles and lantern oils were always used, for when the

To the extent AI fills in for a deficit of labor then the comparison to Bastiat is apt (for this is how candles and lantern oils were always used, for when the 'labor' of the Sun went away). To the extent AI replaces available labor, then I'm not so sure. It may effectively be what Bastiat was sarcastically calling for here: "First, if you shut off as much as possible all access to natural light, and thereby create a need for artificial light, what industry in France will not ultimately be encouraged?" The parallel does not align. Ludditism and import restriction come from differing motivations, even when they call for the same actions. If AI is cheaper than human labor, AI will be preferred by industry. When human labor is cheaper than AI (such as free help from a friend or neighbor), then human labor will be preferred. But sunlight is almost always preferred to candlelight or lamp light.