The Impact of Technology on Jobs: From Agriculture to AI

Throughout history, technology has continuously displaced jobs. From the introduction of agricultural machines that replaced farmers to the current rise of AI, many roles are at risk. Let's have a closure look on the technogical revolutions & their impact. 

 

 

 

Historical Precedent: The Positive Side

• First Industrial Revolution (1760s): The steam engine led to rapid advances in mechanization, transportation, and urbanization.
• Second Industrial Revolution (Late 19th Century): Innovations like the internal combustion engine and electricity revolutionized energy use. Communication was transformed through the telegraph and telephone, leading to mass production.
• Digital Revolution (1947 Onward): Starting with the invention of the transistor, this era brought computers, mobile phones, and productivity tools, reshaping labor needs in agriculture and manufacturing. More jobs were created in factories and infrastructure development.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Uncertain Outcomes

While past technological revolutions created new job opportunities, the current Fourth Industrial Revolution, powered by AI, presents uncertainties. It is clear that AI will displace many jobs, but it’s unclear whether enough new roles will emerge to compensate for these losses.

Is AI Ready to Take Over?

Not the World, but Your Job. Fully autonomous AI may not be ready to take over the world, but AI tools available today are already capable of displacing entire departments, such as customer support, human resources and recruitment. This rapid progress poses significant concerns.

Can We Slow Down AI Progress Globally?

The idea that AI progress will slow to ease the transition is unrealistic. If the U.S. or the European Union introduce regulations, countries like China may accelerate AI advancements, leaving little room to slow down the technology’s impact. The genie is already out of the bottle.

In this rapidly evolving landscape, the only course of action is to observe, adjust, and continuously adapt to the changes AI brings to the job market.

 

Reference: 

https://www.ibm.com/topics/artificial-intelligence

https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/ai-starts-replace-entry-level-it-jobs-bangladesh-3614781

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2024/05/15/hype-or-reality-will-ai-really-take-over-your-job/

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/05/23/tech/elon-musk-ai-your-job/index.html