TED Tech I’ll probably lose my job to AI. Here’s why that’s OK | Megan J. McArdle
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Oct 17, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, journalist Megan J. McArdle shares her insights on the impact of AI on jobs, drawing parallels to the 19th-century Luddites. She reflects on the need to embrace technological progress despite fears of job displacement, emphasizing our responsibility to future generations. McArdle argues that halting innovation could rob us of future benefits, while also acknowledging her personal anxieties about her craft. Ultimately, she contends that progress, though disruptive, opens doors to new opportunities and roles.
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Progress Versus Protection
- Megan McArdle reframes Luddite resistance as understandable but ultimately harmful to future generations.
- Halting technological progress to protect current jobs risks “stealing” prosperity from descendants.
The Real Luddite Story
- Megan tells the origin of the Luddites as skilled textile artisans facing mechanized competition and machine-breaking.
- She expresses sympathy for their plight while noting the broader costs of stopping progress.
Cumulative Gains Outweigh Short-Term Harms
- Technological revolutions produce both severe short-term harms and long-term gains that enable medicine, education, and higher living standards.
- We benefited from past innovation’s cumulative effects even when earlier contemporaries couldn't foresee them.
