Don’t trust the AI doomers —tech won’t steal our work, but make it better |
If the media narrative that artificial intelligence will destroy our jobs sounds familiar, it should: Fear of new technology’s threat to labor has persisted since Aristotle wrote about it in 350 BC.
The Luddites in 19th-century England destroyed power looms to preserve weavers’ jobs.
Karl Marx sought the seizure of the means of production in part because he believed the “improvement of machinery” made a working-class living “precarious.”
Similar fears arose with the advent of electricity, computers and robotics.
True, technology can be disruptive — but automating tasks is nothing new.
And throughout history, automation has led to surges in productivity, bringing a host of benefits: falling prices, rising demand, new industries, higher overall employment and higher living standards.
The tractor eliminated millions of farm jobs, but allowed a small sliver of the population to feed entire nations — enabling mass education and pathways to other industries.
Cars replaced horse-drawn buggy drivers, but led to the auto industry, interstate highways and trucking.
Personal computers eliminated typist pools and clerical roles, but created new careers........