EconTalk Jacob Howland on the Hidden Human Costs of AI
40 snips
Jun 26, 2023 
In a thought-provoking discussion, Jacob Howland, a provost at the University of Austin and author of *Glaucon's Fate*, challenges listeners to consider the profound impacts of AI on society. He argues that while technology promises convenience, it may hinder critical thinking and diminish our curiosity. Howland reflects on the paradox of increased leisure leading to intellectual atrophy and fears that outsourcing our tasks to machines could ultimately compromise our freedom. He emphasizes the importance of meaningful human engagement in an increasingly digital world.
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Work as Structure
- Jacob Howland argues that work, though not always meaningful, provides essential structure.
- He uses the example of lottery winners often becoming unhappy due to losing the structure and meaning work provides.
Atrophy of Writing Skills
- Russ Roberts questions the significance of potential atrophy of writing skills due to AI.
- He wonders if writing's importance, being a relatively recent development, is truly essential to human experience.
The Importance of Logos
- Jacob Howland emphasizes the fundamental role of 'logos' (word/reason/speech) in human and divine creation, citing biblical and philosophical examples.
- He argues that ceding writing and thinking to AI risks diminishing our capacity for judgment and thoughtful expression.
