Rethinking automation: The promises and perils of AI – Daniel Moss

Daniel Moss scrutinises the intricate dance between automation and societal evolution in a thought-provoking piece. Contrary to assumptions, replicating basic human labour with machines hasn't ushered in a new era of innovation. Instead, it's triggered social and political upheaval, from historical Luddite protests to contemporary job displacement. However, economist David Autor envisions AI augmenting human expertise, potentially revitalizing middle-class employment and addressing labour shortages. Amidst apprehensions, Singapore's labour market and ageing population serve as a microcosm for the AI revolution, showcasing both its promise and challenges.

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By Daniel Moss

If all the tasks that made ancient Greece tick were automated — from churning out chariots to crafting ceramic vases — it wouldn't transform the place into Singapore. The Mediterranean civilization would still be that of a few thousand years ago, not a modern Southeast Asian nation whose first prime minister rated the advent of the air conditioner as an epochal event. 

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