The Future Is Synthetic.

[Theland]

According to an article in a BBC radio 4 programme, the World Economic Forum in Davos, have forecast 85 million job losses worldwide over the next five years due to Artificial Intelligence replacing people in work.
Comments on this include a powerful ownership class dominating the masses, or alternatively, freeing up time for everybody sharing in the fruits of the new progress.
Given my opinion on human nature, I would hope for the latter, but fear it will be the former.
What do you think?
How can AI be harnessed to favour everybody, not just the global elite?

[AuntPollyGrey]

How do people think these machines that take human jobs are made? Certainly not totally by machines that's for sure. As for agricultural machinery I would love to know how one person can drive two tractors, however much software is in the cab, and some products just can't be harvested other than by hand.

Things will evolve naturally, like they always have done, but perhaps more quickly than they did 100 years ago. People will leave school with different skills - there is already a huge shortage of Coders and System Analysts and Cyber Security is huge industry, hungry for new Graduates.

[youngmafbog]

AI is simply just the next step we are taking, I'm guessing your forbearers carried cudgels to smash those infernal machines that will take jobs TheLand?

In reality those 85 million jobs 'lost' are just that certain jobs, when something new comes along it has proved to be the case that other, usually unforeseen, jobs come about. And they dont have to all be technical so whilst 85 million current jobs will be gone ther will no doubt be a similar number of different jobs born.

It's the way of the World since the Industrial revolution, and its unlikely to change any time soon.

As for this utopian "we will all have leisure whilst robots do the work", dream on. At least in our lifetime and no doubt our grandchildren's lifetime.

[alavahalf]

Theland would you be happier if we should all don our loin cloths and go tend to our animals.

On the other hand, were it not for technology, you wouldnt be able to ask this question to the world.
Instead you would be sat in a cave asking your sheep ?

[Theland]

Zacs, I've had a quick look. A lot to take in.
Alava, there surely comes a point where surplus labour cannot be used. Then what? A more tiered society?

[nextbraintech]

In theory, automation and artificial intelligence should free humans from dangerous or boring tasks so they can take on more intellectually stimulating assignments, making companies more productive and raising worker wages. Rather than replacing workers, AI can be a tool to help employees work better.
artificial intelligence applications

[davebro]

All my life I've been hearing that this that or the other new development on the horizon is going to give us all a decent life & unlimited leisure without having to work. Some of those things came about but the supposed benefits haven't followed (to any great extent). I suspect AI will be similar.

[ToraToraTora]

from Lud, Sabo etc to the present day it has been shown time and again that the introduction of technology generally increases wealth and jobs in the long run. Nothing to see here.

[ToraToraTora]

yes I know Sabo is not a person it's the idea, ok pedants.

[ToraToraTora]

ZM; "Have you had a look at my link? " - I'd give you BA for optimism but you are trying to get a sensible discussion out of a religious devotee who thinks the world was made in six days and evolution and science are con tricks!