Intro
This week’s assigned reading is a speech by Dr. Richards titled Will Smart Machines Take Our Jobs? He discusses the two sides of this debate: dystopian and utopian. The dystopian view argues that half of all jobs will become obsolete, leaving people financially struggling and depressed. The utopian perspective suggests that life will improve because humans will no longer need to work and can instead enjoy leisure.
Dystopian or Utopian?
Richards, however, argues that both of these scenarios are actually dystopian. He references the movie WALL-E as an example, where humans have nearly all tasks performed for them. He claims that human nature drives us to continue working and developing, and without meaningful engagement, we are left bored.
The Cab Industry
In his 2018 book, Richards interviewed numerous scientists and AI professionals. Many of them believed that autonomous cars would be widespread by 2020. He explains that while some states had laws restricting their use, others allowed development to proceed. He also clarifies that autonomous cars rely on machine learning rather than traditional programming to improve their driving abilities. Richards then discusses how taxis once had a near-monopoly over the cab industry. With Uber’s emergence, taxi companies were forced to adapt, eventually integrating with the new technology. This made the service more convenient. However, with the introduction of autonomous cars, no human involvement is needed, forcing those in the profession to seek entirely different work. He also notes that autonomous trucks may be closer to widespread adoption than cars, as highway driving presents fewer hazards. This poses a serious threat to long-haul truckers, many of whom have made significant financial investments in their vehicles. While autonomous trucking has seen some progress, I believe semi-autonomous trucks with a human operator will be the standard and won’t have as large of an impact on these jobs.
Kiva's Robots
He provides another example with Kiva, a company that developed robots capable of automating forklift operations without human drivers. Recognizing its potential, Amazon acquired the company and began implementing these robots in its warehouses. Since then, automation in warehouses has only accelerated, with companies like Boston Dynamics creating advanced robotic systems capable of handling packages and logistics with increasing efficiency.
Moravec's paradox
Richards highlights one of the biggest challenges in robotics: while machines excel at complex tasks, they often struggle with simpler ones. Because robots follow strict rules and instructions, automating tasks that don't fit neatly into predefined rules remains difficult. However, as AI improves, more industries—including warehouses and construction sites—will likely see increased automation, resulting in job displacement. The rise of generative AI, such as ChatGPT, has expanded this automation beyond physical labor into knowledge-based work, affecting industries like customer service, content creation, and even programming.
How Will Jobs Be Affected?
Despite this, Richards firmly believes that artificial intelligence will not eliminate jobs altogether. He argues that there will always be new work to do. Although the number of jobs in any given market is finite, technological advancements create new opportunities. He uses farming as an example: once a dominant profession, farming now employs only about 1.5%–2% of the workforce due to increased efficiency. He emphasizes that new fields and opportunities will emerge, and those who can anticipate them will have the potential for great success. The rise of AI tools in recent years supports this claim—while AI has disrupted jobs, it has become more of a tool and is used as assistance rather than out right replacing work.
Shifting Economy
Richards suggests that we are on the verge of entering an information economy—shifting from a physical to a digital-based economy. He explains that matter is not simply mass or energy but a third property: information, which is created by intelligence. He argues that the real challenge of this transition isn’t job loss but the accelerating pace of change and disruption. This has proven especially true with the rapid evolution of AI since 2021.
Student Questions
When asked how students can prepare for this future, Richards advises them to focus on developing general intelligence—being numerate, literate, articulate, and punctual. He warns against overspecializing too early, instead recommending that students build a broad skill set before choosing a specialization. He predicts that most students won’t have just one career but will instead work in multiple fields throughout their lives. When asked what those who have already financially invested in their careers should do, he acknowledges the difficulty of rapid disruption and stresses the importance of adaptability. His advice remains relevant today, as professionals in fields affected by AI are being forced to pivot and learn how to integrate AI tools into their workflows rather than being replaced outright.