Historical Lessons from Past Automation Waves for Today's AI Revolution
By
rwmj
Front-window bakery material. Catches the eye, delivers the goods.
Summary
The article examines historical waves of automation to understand the current AI-driven automation wave. It explores how previous technological shifts like the disappearance of secretaries, telephone operators, and other roles transformed society and work, drawing parallels to today's AI revolution. The piece argues that while AI may be unique, mass automation isn't new, and we can learn valuable lessons from past transitions about job displacement, skill adaptation, and societal impacts.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledIt's possible that artificial intelligence is something unique in human history, but the mass automation it seems bound to produce definitely isn't.
Despite this, we rarely hear in any detail about previous waves of automation.
We hear more about Engels' Pause than we do about flagmen or telephone operators or motion picture projectionists.
What the last big wave of automation tells us about the one that's on its way
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