We are already seeing artificial intelligence take over jobs in many industries. As more people complain about the minimum wage and try to fight for higher incomes for entry-level jobs, businesses are finding ways around these employees. For example, McDonald’s is testing out replacing cashiers with self-ordering kiosks.
Not only are these entry-level jobs at risk of being replaced by technology, but many jobs can be replaced by artificial intelligence. In a recent interview with Fox Business, Bill Gates said, “The software can be used to supplement workers by monitoring “high-value environments” — including jails, factories, courthouses or operating rooms — and transcribing the ongoing occurrences with computers that can record what’s going on.”
Gates notes that these replacements can actually be a good thing. In the interview Gates states that in using AI “You’ll be far more efficient using resources, you’ll be far more aware of what’s going on,” He mentions that with the use of AI, production will likely increase two-fold, which can translate into less labor for those involved but doesn’t actually mean fewer jobs. Efficiencies can be gained through technology, increasing levels of production. With the production level increased with a smaller amount of labor, employees could have longer vacations, and positions can be redirected to help different segments of the business.
While not everyone is excited about the changes that are coming, Gates says this change will leave society with a lot of decisions and options in the future, “because you’ll just be so much more productive.”