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Hyping AI benefits executives even if the tech doesn't actually work, because it puts pressure on workers to accept lower wages, fewer benefits, worse working c

Hyping AI benefits executives even if the tech doesn't actually work, because it puts pressure on workers to accept lower wages, fewer benefits, worse working conditions, etc. Assuming they are amoral and purely self-interested (a stretch, I know ;-), I don't see why they wouldn't constantly hype AI.

qbasic_forever 3y ago
I bet it has the exact opposite effect. If your boss starts talking about how he's going to replace all the help desk with AI, the current employees are going to give up any care at all they had left and even start jumping ship. Despite what you think the labor market is super hot and strong for most segments besides white collar tech (every metric still bears this out, unemployment especially in services and lower wage jobs is historically low). If you're working a shitty help desk job that you know the boss is doing his best to eradicate then you're just going to spend working hours applying to other service jobs and jump ship.
- raincole 3y ago
  If the boss is really going to replace all the help desk with AI, then the current employees jumping ship is a great thing. It means less severance.
loeg 3y ago
I think it's mostly just about getting in front of pressure from shareholders to somehow incorporate a new technology into their business model. Agree that the tech doesn't need to work for it to benefit the execs.
hammock 3y ago
Why are you being downvoted for this comment?
- Supermancho 3y ago
  > Hyping AI benefits executives even if the tech doesn't actually work, because it puts pressure on workers to accept lower wages, fewer benefits, worse working conditions, etc. Probably because these conditions don't correlate, but the OP is presenting it as obvious. This is a back-handed wealth inequality pot-shot. Few companies are hyping AI to then use it to justify cutbacks. The cutbacks are already happening or will happen, regardless, because of the existing economic conditions. ie The unfettered self-sustaining demand for growth, even in a recession.
- dymk 3y ago
  because the comment doesn’t make sense

qbasic_forever 3y ago

I bet it has the exact opposite effect. If your boss starts talking about how he's going to replace all the help desk with AI, the current employees are going to give up any care at all they had left and even start jumping ship. Despite what you think the labor market is super hot and strong for most segments besides white collar tech (every metric still bears this out, unemployment especially in services and lower wage jobs is historically low). If you're working a shitty help desk job that you know the boss is doing his best to eradicate then you're just going to spend working hours applying to other service jobs and jump ship.

raincole 3y ago
If the boss is really going to replace all the help desk with AI, then the current employees jumping ship is a great thing. It means less severance.

loeg 3y ago

I think it's mostly just about getting in front of pressure from shareholders to somehow incorporate a new technology into their business model. Agree that the tech doesn't need to work for it to benefit the execs.

hammock 3y ago

Why are you being downvoted for this comment?

Supermancho 3y ago
> Hyping AI benefits executives even if the tech doesn't actually work, because it puts pressure on workers to accept lower wages, fewer benefits, worse working conditions, etc. Probably because these conditions don't correlate, but the OP is presenting it as obvious. This is a back-handed wealth inequality pot-shot. Few companies are hyping AI to then use it to justify cutbacks. The cutbacks are already happening or will happen, regardless, because of the existing economic conditions. ie The unfettered self-sustaining demand for growth, even in a recession.
dymk 3y ago
because the comment doesn’t make sense