Should economists be more concerned about AI?

Re:Should economists be more concerned about AI? by mattnewton on Thursday March 02, 2017 @10:12AM (#13774522)

So the magic robot scenario is more expensive to implement than the Foxconn workforce, but if we were to implement more protectionist policies though that made manufacture in china untenable, would the magic robots still be more expensive than American labour?

Edit: Also, maybe Foxconn was on track to grow by even more, but used robots instead. It's not necessarily the case that greater automation isn't coming or that more people will always be hired; they seem to be holding their breath for the moment that robots can replace all the people and actively investing in the area in the meantime [1]

[1] http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-36376966

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Re:Should economists be more concerned about AI? by crdoconnor on Thursday March 02, 2017 @10:26AM (#13774666)

So... "magic robots aren't real but just you wait they soon WILL be if you take away my dirt cheap labor" theory?

>Edit: Also, maybe Foxconn was on track to grow by even more, but used robots instead.

Indeed. I eagerly await Foxconn's one million magic robots promised in 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015 and again in 2016.

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