In a 1938 article, MIT’s president argued that technical progress didn’t mean fewer jobs. He’s still right.

Compton drew a sharp distinction between the consequences of technological progress on “industry as a whole” and the effects, often painful, on individuals.

For “industry as a whole,” he concluded, “technological unemployment is a myth.” That’s because, he argued, technology "has created so many new industries” and has expanded the market for many items by “lowering the cost of production to make a price within reach of large masses of purchasers.” In short, technological advances had created more jobs overall. The argument—and the question of whether it is still true—remains pertinent in the age of AI.

Then Compton abruptly switched perspectives, acknowledging that for some workers and communities, “technological unemployment may be a very serious social problem, as in a town whose mill has had to shut down, or in a craft which has been superseded by a new art.”

  • ArbitraryValue@sh.itjust.works
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    9 months ago

    This time is different. If AI were to remain what it is today, the article would be correct, but AI won’t. It’s a fundamentally new kind of technology, unlike anything else that has ever been created by humans. It only seems like more of the same to some people because it’s so very new and primitive compared to what it will be soon. This won’t be humans losing their jobs, this will be humanity losing its job. There will be plenty of new industries created but they will be run by AI for AI.

    With that said, it won’t necessarily be bad. It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine.

    • nicetriangle@kbin.social
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      9 months ago

      I am surprised how many people don’t see where it’s going and hand wave away the issue. It’s going to become a lot more advanced than it already is in just a few years. This is an entirely different situation than we’ve ever experienced.

    • Gigan@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      Yup. CGPGrey made a video about this 9 years go explaining why AI will be different than previous technological disruptions.

      • scratchee@feddit.uk
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        9 months ago

        Tldr: in this “revolution” we get to play the part of the horses from the Industrial Revolution.

        The last revolution made more and better jobs for horses at the start. Then it made less and zero jobs for horses. This one could be the same for humans.

          • Wanderer@lemm.ee
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            9 months ago

            I fucking wish.

            Think I aged about 20. My knees feel like they are made of gravel. Also I got wrecked by the sun so my skins old now.

            That’s not even talking about my liver! Or my arse.

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        9 months ago

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