Rongnongno Loc: FL

I was reading a few articles on the AI possible impact on the work force. Quite a few folks fear that they will lose their jobs. I do not think they are all that wrong, but they miss an important part.

AI evolution is compared to E-commerce vs retail, among other things.

The usual results of new technology is a devaluation of personal services against 'convenience and speed'. This in turns will influence a disparity in salaries, 'Why pay someone if I can get the same thing, cheaper, even if it is not fully tailored to my need?'

Consider the industrial revolution and its resulting savage exploitation of workers... It created cheaper goods (need less folks to work) and made the products affordable to more folks. All good in appearance but in the long run, with hindsight, this created a society that depends on high consumption of goods as well as rising inflation followed closely by 'planned obsolescence', that in turn impact the dilapidation of natural resources. While workers were able to defend themselves after a while (unions) this is not the case anymore. (Think of 70s, particularly the Reagan administration that removed most regulations that led to today's global economy where large corporations make incredible profit at the expense of workers whose salary is stagnant ever since.)

AI is just another step toward disfranchisement of workers and the population at large. Workers once again will bear the brunt of 'progress'.

So, AI, good or bad? It really depends on how you look at it, as well as WHO looks at it.

Triple G

AI as an "assist" tool is great. A doctor can type in all the patient symptoms and health stats and vitals into his computer and he/she will get recommendations for further tests, etc. as rule out diagnostics. Dr. House meets AI's Dr. Watson! When thinking people, however, rely totally on the computer output instead of their own knowledge and experience, it will change medical care as we know it. At some point, only AI will be used as new doctors don't build the personal knowledge and experience.

ELNikkor

Happens through history; candle factories when lightbulbs invented, horse infrastructure when cars invented, bow & arrow craft when guns invented etc. Somehow people adapt and move on.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

For a long time I resisted using the self checkout machines at Walmart in favor of some one having a job, but now I do use them. Automation is part of our life and becoming more common in all aspects of life.

Today is my semi-annual med checkup. There is a program which you list symptoms and the If/Then AI diagnosis better than my physician can. "Accurate diagnosis is a fundamental aspect of global healthcare systems. In the US, approximately 5% of outpatients receive an incorrect diagnosis, with errors being particularly common for serious medical conditions, and carrying the risk of serious patient harm. In recent years, AI and machine learning have emerged as powerful tools for assisting diagnosis. This technology could revolutionize healthcare by providing more precise diagnoses."
https://sma.org/ai-in-medical-diagnosis/

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If it increases profit, it will become universal.

MWojton Loc: Yardley, PA

60 minutes did a good story on AI last Sunday. The bottom line is "change-is-a-comin".
Go back and watch it if you can.

Ruthlessrider

Rongnongno, you hit a critical point when you began this conversation. More workers will get displaced as a result. Some will survive by being motivated enough to get retrain for other jobs, but a fair portion will not and will add to the growing numbers of people who join the ranks of the unemployable. I am sure this will rekindle the discussion for creating a minimum income for the nation. To some, especially the greedy wealthy (and I must state that not all wealthy people are greedy) and those already on the margin, this has and will seem like a crazy idea (what give money away?), when in reality it probably makes perfect sense if you think about the future of the nation. It will be for what people ‘need” to live, not for what they ‘want’, and there is a difference. Think of it this way, if you will, if people don’t have what they need, what is the incentive strive for a better life or to fight for the country, if and when it is necessary? It not only incentivizes people to defend the country, but a way of life we can all enjoy. As Marx warned what’s seems like long ago, when the growth of the people living in poverty (the proletariat) become so numerous and disenchanted with the way things are, they will revolt. I, for one, believe that in a nation as rich as this one, we should care for those left behind by the economic and social progress we strive for, if we don’t what will be the incentive to defend the nation?

The rant is over.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I don't think your articulate comments were in any fashion a "rant." Kudos to you and Rongnongno, and others so far, for a thoughtful discussion!

Soon enough this topic will turn contentious and end up you-know-where. Such a shame, because obviously there are a number of people on UHH who still value intelligent, informed conversations.

HOHIMER

 Ruthlessrider said:…. in a nation as rich as this one, we should care for those left behind by the economic and social progress we strive for, …….

Alas. Therein lies the conundrum. To discern those who would scam the system from those in honest, authentic, need.
It is becoming increasingly apparent the default setting for the human psyche, seems to be trending toward lackluster.

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

Well said, Ron. Capitalism rewards the worst side of human nature; greed, aggressiveness, callous disregard for others, etc. While it was largely Reganomics that started it all (nothing ever “trickled down” my way), the Democrats were no better. It was Clinton who rolled back all the banking oversight regulations and it all went downhill from there. New technology proponents admit it’ll cost jobs but swear it’ll create new jobs. Thing is, you won’t see many brake shoe assemblers landing jobs as AI programmers.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

I concur with your assessment of "Kudos to you and Rongnongno, and others so far, for a thoughtful discussion! ".
Best Wishes,
JimmyT Sends

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

There is quite a bit of tear about AI going astray and machine intelligence taking charge, all I can say is just think back 22 years and remember Y2K and all the planes that fell out of the air.

skylane5sp Loc: Puyallup, WA

Remember what happened in the Terminator movies when Skynet became “self-aware”?

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Perhaps people will adapt and life will continue. New undreamed of yet jobs will become plentiful.
More people are employed in the automobile industry/infrastructure than would ever be in the horsepower era.
The unknown is scary but we cannot judge it yet as to what AI will look like.

WNYShooter Loc: WNY

Well stated!!!