Ignoring CEO predictions, can anyone point to any major revolutionary technology that had a net negative impact on quality of life and employment statistics? AI is an incredibly powerful technological shift in our way of life but where is the net employment hit taking place? Unemployment numbers remain stable. Revolutions like this do create widening inequality while also increasing long run productivity. Yes inequality rises but what you should care about is your quality of life and that will also improve over time. There will be suffering during transition and there will be many that don’t fare well but…this happens during every major revolution—electricity the internet etc. so why do people treat AI like it’s a uniquely damaging phenomenon?

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stravant an hour ago | parent | next [-]

Don't ignore the transient.

The industrial revolution created a hell on Earth for workers for the better part of a century.

	▲	eesmith 34 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		Or as the article puts it: "Over the long run, it’s true that the Industrial Revolution radically boosted economic growth. But living through it was another matter entirely. Many people saw their wages stagnate and working conditions deteriorate as factory owners and industrialists came into immense wealth. (Just read a Charles Dickens novel, and you’ll get the idea.) This led to riots and, occasionally, attacks on the industrialists themselves."

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jmcqk6 an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

> There will be suffering during transition and there will be many that don’t fare well

Yeah, and the people suffering are not going to like that. If people are afraid of being in that group, then they will not be very happy about it.

If you put yourself in the shoes of someone suffering from AI, how comforting do you think your observations here are?

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kennywinker an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Machine-Origins-Rebellion-Again... Has some pertinent examples.

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mrhottakes an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

You are confusing the macro view with the personal. Try losing your job and being told "don't worry, your quality of life will improve over time!" Would you respond positively?

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watwut an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Industrial revolution made lives of many people into a hell. In the long term we gained, but only after those people went through periods of violence and fights.

> AI is an incredibly powerful technological shift in our way of life but where is the net employment hit taking place? Unemployment numbers remain stable.

At this point, a lot of AI is hot water rather then powerful shift in our way of life.

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bediger4000 41 minutes ago | parent | prev [-]

We treat it as uniquely damaging, because it's touted as uniquely enhancing, or even uniquely revolutionary. "AI is not just any tool" is often the response to some asking to exercise choice in the tools they use. "You don't have to use AI in your work, but if you don't, you'll work for someone who does".