This blog
post is a reflection of Andrew McAfee’s speech regarding the evolution of
technology and how human labor is rapidly being replaced by computers, robots
etc.
Andrew is
showing the audience the impact that technology has on employment and have
quickly come to the conclusion that “yes, droids are taking our jobs”. But he
focuses more on the upside of this story, rather than the fact that humans are
being replaced.
I agree
with Andrews thoughts, while the computers are replacing us in many lines of
business; this simply says that we are freed up to focus on the next step in
human history. This is not the first time where this has happened. When the
engines first were developed, humans were able to focus on other areas, which
have led us to where we are now. By freeing ourselves of tasks that can now be
performed automatically by computers, we can focus on more research, perhaps in
the same area, and continue to develop the technology. Andrew himself talks
about this freeing us up to focus more on for instance poverty in the world,
which is a great idea and I’m sure that in some way it’s true, albeit maybe not
in the nearest future since we have only come so far with computers. In the
long run however, when computers will be able to run almost all aspects of our
business chain, we will have the ability to shift our focus elsewhere.
Development
means adapting. We need to adapt to the evolution of technology and shift our
focus to where the technology has not yet reached. When the day comes that this
is also being replaced by technology, we need to adapt again. This is a continuous
flow and we should already be accustomed to it.
I agree completely with you! In all times I believe, people have been scared over new technology and what it might bring to the future. I remember my grandmother telling me how her grandparents were extremely suspicious to phones and afraid of how it might change human interaction etc. I believe there will be some time when unemployment will increase,and I think that politics will have to play a part in this. It is possible that we in the future work less hours, just like we back in the day had a six hour work week. People tend to worry too much about the future and imagine night mare scenarios when it doesn´t have to be like that at all. Let´s be looking forward to it instead!
SvaraRaderaI fully agree with your opinion.This is not the first time we would have to adapt to evolution. And this will, in turn, create new opportunities. As new jobs to this new technology. And letting us focus on severe world problems like war and starvation. I can understand the concern of some people. I dont think we foresaw that the engine would contribute to global warming. This will most likely come with some side effects. But nothing we cant handle.
SvaraRaderaI think it’s good to see this from the good side. I don’t believe that we lose jobs in quantity. We create more jobs but some specific professionals will and have already disappeared. This might seem a little bit silly, but I’m going to take the example from the TV-show Ack Värmland. There we have the character Annette, who is being replaced by a coffee machine. Her job is lost. But the machine is creating new ones too. For example, someone build it; design it, programed it and someone needs to maintain it.
SvaraRaderaI think we can create a better world and as said before, we adjust to the developments and focus can be on other things. As help people in need. Have you heard about the 3D-printed food? That’s something that I think sounds very interesting.