The piece also points out that early AI models are not yet fully reliable for commercial use, and that companies have not fully restructured their businesses to maximize the benefits of AI. It concludes by suggesting that, like the tractor, the full integration and impact of AI may take a significant amount of time as society adjusts to the new technology.
Key takeaways:
- The adoption of tractors in the early 20th century revolutionized American agriculture, but the transition was slow and gradual, not immediate and explosive.
- Early tractors were not as efficient or versatile as they needed to be, and they were expensive. Improvements in technology, such as the addition of rubber tires and power lifts, made them more practical and affordable over time.
- Wage levels and labor market conditions also influenced the adoption of tractors. During the Depression, when wages were low, it was more economical for farmers to hire labor to manage horses. But labor shortages and rising wages during World War II made tractors a more attractive option.
- The transition to tractor farming also required structural changes in farming operations. Tractors were most efficient on larger farms, so farmers needed to expand their holdings, which took time and capital.