Despite fears of AI taking over jobs, tech leaders remain optimistic, arguing that new types of professions will replace the lost jobs. However, the tech sector has experienced layoffs despite significant investments in AI. The MIT study suggests that while AI may become more economically attractive with decreasing costs and the introduction of "AI-as-a-service" platforms, many questions remain about the technical feasibility and economic viability of AI systems in various job sectors.
Key takeaways:
- An MIT research team found that in many cases, replacing human workers with AI is more expensive due to large upfront costs of AI systems.
- Only 23 percent of workers' total wages would be attractive to automate, and this could change over time.
- Despite fears of AI taking over jobs, tech leaders remain optimistic, arguing that new kinds of professions will replace the jobs lost to AI.
- The researchers suggest that with decreasing costs of deploying AI systems or with the introduction of an "AI-as-a-service" platform, the economics of AI can be made more attractive.