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0 pointsRefreeze522428d ago0 comments

It's simple: it's just a lie. We are seeing the goal of AI in action here, which is reducing payroll costs.

0 comments

Since the rush for AGI isn’t panning out, I can see tech firms engaging in tacit collusion that aims to reduce the salaries of software engineers.

There’s proof of tech firms engaging in explicit collusion back in the 00’s.

MeetingsBrowser28d ago

I also don't understand that take.

Imagine you run a mowing service with 4 employees. Suddenly 2 more people volunteer to mow yard for your company for free!

Is your reaction to fire two of the paid employees and keep mowing the same number of yards (with reduced payroll costs), or to expand the business to mow more yards?

Which of those responses feels more in line with a "strong and growing" business that is "continuing to support more customers" and has "improving profitability"?

xeckr28d ago

Now imagine you run a mowing service with 4 employees. Suddenly an unbounded number of people appear on the job market who are ready to work for your company at a 5% the cost of your previous employees. Best of all, they become more competent and less expensive over time. You can't yet fire your entire original roster all at once since they need to teach the new hires the specifics of the job, but after that's done, what do you need them for?

MeetingsBrowser28d ago

No sane person is claiming AI can fully replace a human worker today.

It is a productivity multiplier at least for now.

2 more replies

d010028d ago

If you apply Pareto to productivity, you can fire a lot of people and still manage

Refreeze5224OP28d ago

A fundamental attribute of capitalism is that labor costs are a regrettable cost center, and any reduction in labor costs without a resulting loss in profit/perceived productivity is a big win. AI is a big win for capitalists, and not so much for anyone who is now suddenly "made redundant". And since we treat shareholder value as sacred and inviolate, too bad for workers who lose their job in this deal.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 comments

djeekle28d ago

Since the rush for AGI isn’t panning out, I can see tech firms engaging in tacit collusion that aims to reduce the salaries of software engineers.

There’s proof of tech firms engaging in explicit collusion back in the 00’s.

MeetingsBrowser28d ago

I also don't understand that take.

Imagine you run a mowing service with 4 employees. Suddenly 2 more people volunteer to mow yard for your company for free!

Is your reaction to fire two of the paid employees and keep mowing the same number of yards (with reduced payroll costs), or to expand the business to mow more yards?

Which of those responses feels more in line with a "strong and growing" business that is "continuing to support more customers" and has "improving profitability"?

xeckr28d ago

MeetingsBrowser28d ago

No sane person is claiming AI can fully replace a human worker today.

It is a productivity multiplier at least for now.

2 more replies

d010028d ago

If you apply Pareto to productivity, you can fire a lot of people and still manage

Refreeze5224OP28d ago

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse