Attention Economy


Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Thinking Machines

We will have to learn to live with machines that can think
https://www.ft.com/content/0ca24f99-f800-4102-a7b8-ac51a5ca2005
The impact of artificial intelligence on productivity could be epoch-making. 

Things AI cannot do:
Australians cash in on shortage of electricians
https://www.ft.com/content/0bef16b6-f8ab-48e6-9978-6c496ff2f19f
A shortage of electricians means that those willing to endure long shifts and live on remote sites can potentially earn up to A$200,000 (US$124,000) a year — double the national average salary and not far off the average MP salary.
“It’s a cup half full/half empty life. You do 12-hour shifts, there’s the heat, the flies and you’re stuck in a donga [temporary housing] in a single bed. But you’re fed well and everything’s covered. You leave your credit card at home. You earn good money and you get plenty of time off,” said Dowsett of his life as a fly-in, fly-out electrician.
The high salaries reflect the fact that fewer Australians want to be electricians, creating a potentially devastating shortage as major renewable energy, mining and data centre projects come online.