Decidr

The short answer is no, the transition or evolution of labour is nothing new. So is this a case of societal short memory?

The rapid emergence of increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) has ignited widespread anxiety about job loss — fears we’ve seen during other technological revolutions, from the introduction of machine manufacturing in the eighteenth century to the New York lamplighters strike of 1907.

In all cases, these shifts have enabled us to do more with less, giving humans more power to flourish without being hindered by monotonous tasks.

So is the threat of AI founded on a genuine concern or fear for global workforces, to be wholly and permanently replaced by technology? Or are we going to see the same historical patterns repeated?

It turns out that AI, like its predecessors, will likely create as many opportunities as it displaces, supporting us in ways we’ve haven’t even begun to imagine.

Let’s look at what history has taught us.

The Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution marked a significant shift in the textile industry with inventions like the spinning jenny and the power loom. These machines revolutionised production, transitioning work from handweaving to factory-based jobs such as machine operators, maintenance workers and managers.

During this period, mechanisation also transformed agriculture. The introduction of tractors and other machinery reduced the need for manual labour but simultaneously created jobs in manufacturing, maintenance and operation of a suite of new technologies.

The Information Age

The advent of personal computers in the late 20th century revolutionised a host of industries. This period saw a surge in IT roles, including software developers, tech support specialists and IT professionals.

What’s more, the rise of the internet and e-commerce birthed entirely new industries. Roles in web development, digital marketing, e-commerce management and logistics became crucial.

Other bigs shifts and why they matter

• ATMs automated routine banking transactions, which allowed bank tellers to focus on more complex tasks, customer service and sales, enhancing their roles rather than replacing them.
• Robotics has automated many repetitive tasks in manufacturing, but this shift has increased the demand for skilled workers in robotics design, programming and maintenance.
• Automation in medical imaging has streamlined diagnostic processes, creating new roles for radiologists, technicians and specialists.
• The shift from horse-drawn carriages to cars generated a multitude of jobs in manufacturing, maintenance, road construction and new service industries.
• The development of commercial aviation introduced roles such as pilots, flight attendants, air traffic controllers and airport management staff.
• The shift from print to digital media has opened up new opportunities in digital content creation, social media management and multimedia journalism.

Embracing AI: Preparing for a future of new opportunities

Throughout history, new technology has replaced some jobs while creating new ones.

AI is no different.

People often forget that technology can create new, often better jobs. Over time, these changes usually lead to more employment opportunities, with the transition period historically taking 20-30 years.

The big question is whether the shift to AI jobs will fit into this 20-30 year timeline or happen faster, leading to more meaningful or creative pursuits for people.

If we embrace these changes and prepare our workforce, AI can benefit society just like past “revolutions” have.

Are we doing enough today to make this happen? Or are we letting our fears for robot nannies and AI lawyers get the better of us?