The Human Action Podcast AI, Automation, and the Human Advantage
11 snips
Oct 13, 2025 Bob dives into the fears surrounding AI and automation, countering claims of mass unemployment with economic principles. He discusses how skilled labor can coexist with less-skilled workers and how innovation typically improves living standards. Historical comparisons to past technologies reveal the need for nuance. Explore how lower production costs from AI can benefit consumers and decrease prices. Bob also tackles existential fears about AI dominance while highlighting the importance of cooperation over conflict.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Standard Economics Still Applies
- Standard economics (marginal productivity, comparative advantage) still explains AI's labor effects.
- If an argument about AI applies equally to skilled humans, the AI argument is incomplete.
Using Matt Walsh's Tweets As A Test
- Bob reads and responds to Matt Walsh's viral tweets claiming AI will remove humans entirely.
- He uses Walsh's claims as a foil to test standard economic reasoning.
Skill Gaps Can Raise Everyone's Real Wages
- Competition and comparative advantage mean more skilled workers don't doom less-skilled ones.
- Lower-skilled workers often earn higher real wages because of others' higher productivity.