How Technology Transforms Rather Than Eliminates Jobs: From ATMs to iPhones
By
colinprince
An everything bagel for the brain. Substantive, layered, well-seasoned.
Summary
The article examines the historical impact of technological innovation on employment, contrasting the introduction of ATMs (which didn't eliminate bank teller jobs) with the iPhone (which disrupted multiple industries). It explores how technology often creates new job categories rather than simply replacing existing ones, using historical examples like the automobile industry and discussing current concerns about AI's potential effects on employment. The piece argues that technological change typically transforms work rather than eliminating it entirely, though acknowledges some technologies like the iPhone have had more disruptive effects than others.
Key quotes
· 5 pulledThe history of tech and innovation is that while it does cause job disruptions, it more often facilitates human productivity as opposed to making humans obsolete.
ATMs didn't kill bank teller jobs, but the iPhone did - illustrating how different technologies have varying impacts on employment.
There's a lot more to replacing labor than just automating tasks - technology transforms work in complex ways.
Technological change typically creates new job categories rather than simply eliminating existing ones.
The automobile industry provides a historical example of how technology can both eliminate some jobs while creating entirely new industries.
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