How many times have you heard something like this? “AI will take over certain jobs… but it’s okay! New technology will create new jobs! That’s why the kids in school today should be learning concepts, not memorizing. As long as they get concepts, they can search for any information they need once they’re in the workforce.”
So, AI will replace the work of lawyers (sharks in suits, who needs them!), accountants (beancounters!) and other professionals… but it’s okay, AI will do a far better job — and cheaper. Everybody wins.
Sorry to be blunt, but I think this is total bullshit.
I’m not putting down critical thinking and creativity, au contraire. But learning concepts is not useful unless you’re memorizing and learning facts.
Elon Musk didn’t get to rethink space flight, green transportation and now, the inner space of the brain, by understanding basic concepts and being really good at Google searches.
Here’s what I think could actually happen.
Let’s say many of the lawyers, accountants, etc. who find that much of their work has been taken over by AI don’t stay in their professions. Many (ie. millions of people) simply get out — but now put their brainpower towards lower-tier jobs that are still around — displacing people with lesser cognitive abilities. (Related to this, over 65 percent of Americans think they have above-average IQ, which is mathematically not possible).
In other words, some smart people will adapt upwards but many will apply themselves to other jobs, not necessarily in their original chosen profession. Meanwhile, the most vulnerable people in our society will be replaced and possibly dependent on state support, forever. That’s not a happy outcome.
How do we prevent this?
Any AI system build should aim at augmenting and supporting a person’s creativity, not replacing the person.
Or, to put it another way: let’s say you’re about to board a plane. An aerospace engineer designed it: just with concepts, or with math skills and knowledge of what actually works? Which would you choose?
I think we know how we’d all answer.
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