AI. AI. AI. Maybe if I utter those magic initials one more time, you’ll reach peak ecstasy. Worried about our lack of productivity? Fear not. The economy will soon be rocketing ahead.

What’s that? You’re worried AI will soon put all of us out of our jobs? Never fear. You’re gonna love it on the dole. All that spare time.

Illustration by Simon LetchCredit:

What are we to make of all the fuss about AI – or A1, as someone at my place calls it? Well, I’ll tell you what I think, although I’m no expert on the technological marvels that will be unveiled any time soon.

But that’s the first point. None of us knows what AI involves except a few self-appointed experts, who are doing all the talking about how fabulously big and revolutionary it will be. Well, maybe. Maybe not.

I’ve been around long enough to notice when it’s the proponents of the world-shattering development – the people who stand to gain most from it being big, big, big – telling us how wonderful it will be. (I’m so old I can remember when AI stood for artificial insemination.)

The experts are generating much of the hype about AI and what a revolution it will be because they want to attract the attention of governments, whose approvals and co-operation the proponents need to do what they want to do.

Of course, some experts have broken ranks to warn about the many thousands of workers who could lose their jobs. But this, too, is probably part of the proponents’ efforts to attract governments’ support.

Which brings........

© The Sydney Morning Herald