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We in tech have been dealing with this for decades. My original tech job (custom web dev for small sites) has been replaced by tools from Squarespace and Wix t

We in tech have been dealing with this for decades. My original tech job (custom web dev for small sites) has been replaced by tools from Squarespace and Wix that allow for non-technical self-service of web development. And Amazon Marketplace ate up the market for maintaining small e-commerce shops (most of my business in the 00s). A.I. was always an overblown threat. The real threat has always been a good UI that encodes most of the rules around a system. You don't need fancy A.I. to figure out most of these tasks, you really just need a collection of widgets someone can throw together to build their own semi-custom automaton. Knowledge worker need to change and adapt like the rest. And they have it better because they already have a degree and skillset which can be incrementally added to. They may not be able to get an accounting job, but they could probably learn some other skills and get an accounting-adjacent job in sales, management, or tech.

Tarsul 6y ago
I don't know. Not everyone can just adjust to doing something else. E.g. you mentioned transitioning to sales, managemnt or tech. For sales you have to like to sell (and have a knack for it), it's not for everyone. Management? Not everyone can go into management, who do you manage if the people that were managed are gone? Thus, automation is also coming for the middle-management. Tech? Tech is too complicated for many people to get into. Additionally, if it's the only place in the sunlight that's left, it might become crowded as well.
- mywittyname 6y ago
  Sure, but hopefully you're capable of doing something else. Most knowledge workers need to upskill over their career. Whether you're a mechanical engineer or an accountant, there's a very good chance that your job looks different today than it did in 2011 or 2001 (or, if you're old enough, 1991). It's much easier for a knowledge worker to learn one new skill and combine it with their other existing skills, and be able to leverage that into a new career.

Tarsul 6y ago

I don't know. Not everyone can just adjust to doing something else. E.g. you mentioned transitioning to sales, managemnt or tech. For sales you have to like to sell (and have a knack for it), it's not for everyone. Management? Not everyone can go into management, who do you manage if the people that were managed are gone? Thus, automation is also coming for the middle-management. Tech? Tech is too complicated for many people to get into. Additionally, if it's the only place in the sunlight that's left, it might become crowded as well.

mywittyname 6y ago
Sure, but hopefully you're capable of doing something else. Most knowledge workers need to upskill over their career. Whether you're a mechanical engineer or an accountant, there's a very good chance that your job looks different today than it did in 2011 or 2001 (or, if you're old enough, 1991). It's much easier for a knowledge worker to learn one new skill and combine it with their other existing skills, and be able to leverage that into a new career.