a16z Podcast

a16z Podcast: Automation, Jobs, & the Future of Work (and Income)

May 23, 2016

Thomas Davenport, a Babson University professor and MIT research fellow, teams up with Julia Kirby, an editor at Harvard University Press, to discuss the evolving landscape of work amid rising automation. They reveal how we're entering a 'third era' where machines not only handle mundane tasks but also make decisions. The duo argues against the notion of universal basic income, advocating for the essential human elements in work that provide identity and fulfillment. Collaboration between humans and machines is key to navigating this new workplace.

26:39

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Episode guests

Julia Kirby

Thomas Davenport

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The evolution of automation now includes decision-making processes, prompting workers to rethink their roles and adaptive strategies in an AI-driven workplace.

Emphasizing augmentation over automation encourages individuals to leverage unique human attributes like creativity and emotional intelligence to remain relevant alongside machines.

Deep dives

The Era of AI: Transition from Winter to Spring

The discussion highlights the transformation of artificial intelligence from a dormant phase, often referred to as AI winter, to an unprecedented era of growth and interest, termed AI spring. During this era, the integration of big data and analytics has accelerated the adoption of AI technologies across various industries. Notably, aspects of automation have been subtly influencing everyday tasks, such as banking and airport check-ins, long before the current surge of attention. This transition is characterized by an increased awareness of AI's role in decision-making processes, marking a shift in how individuals perceive its impact on their daily lives.

Intro

4min

Navigating the Automated Workplace

10min

The Interplay of Automation, Creativity, and Universal Basic Income

6min

Exploring Universal Basic Income and the Value of Work in an Automated Future

5min

Reimagining Management in the Age of Automation

3min

There's no question automation is taking over more and more aspects of work and some jobs altogether. But we're now entering a "third era" of automation, one which went from taking over dangerous work to dull work and now decision-making work, too.

So what will it take to deal with a world -- and a workplace -- where machines could be thought of as colleagues? The key lies in distinguishing between automation vs. augmentation, argue the guests on this episode of the a16z Podcast, IT management professor Thomas Davenport and Harvard Business editor Julia Kirby, who authored the new book Only Humans Need Apply: Winners and Losers in the Age of Smart Machines.

But the argument isn't as simple as saying humans will just do the creative, emotionally intelligent work and that machines will do the rest. The future of work is complex and closely tied to the need for structure, identity, and meaning. Which is also why linking the discussion of things like "universal basic income" to the topic of automation isn't just unnecessary, but depressing and even damaging (or so argue the guests on this episode).

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a16z Podcast

a16z Podcast: Automation, Jobs, & the Future of Work (and Income)

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Era of AI: Transition from Winter to Spring

Rethinking Job Security in the Age of Automation

Embracing Human-Machine Collaboration

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts