Not surprisingly, I find myself feeling optimistic about the idea of machines doing more jobs. I think it's a good thing that humans can be freed to more effectively do the things that humans do best. Additionally, I would point out that given the prohibitive cost of launching a law suit, being able to cut down the costs significantly by automating a lot of the document research can make a real difference. I know, I know...Nobody wants to encourage even more litigation in this country. But honestly, there are times when people need redress but simply can't foot the bills. Hopefully this will help change that.
An interesting point about the economic consequences though:
David H. Autor, an economics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, says the United States economy is being “hollowed out.” New jobs, he says, are coming at the bottom of the economic pyramid, jobs in the middle are being lost to automation and outsourcing, and now job growth at the top is slowing because of automation.
“There is no reason to think that technology creates unemployment,” Professor Autor said. “Over the long run we find things for people to do. The harder question is, does changing technology always lead to better jobs? The answer is no.”
I wonder though, how this works out over a long run? Obviously, a similar situation existed at the start of the Industrial Revolution with the obvious difference being that lower level jobs were disappearing rather than mid-level jobs. Obviously, the Industrial Revolution worked out pretty well in the long run...
I'd say that as always, there will be some short term pain. However, people being people, will always find something new to do.
Well, until the robots decide to eat us, anyways.
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