What is the future of work? ⏲️ 6 Minute English

Summary

In this episode of 6 Minute English, hosts Neil and Beth explore the challenges of predicting the future of work. They discuss past predictions that haven't materialized, like Smell-o-vision and a miracle cure-all pill, and touch on Elon Musk's recent assertion that AI will lead to a work-free future. The conversation includes insights from experts like Professor Brendan Burchell, who advises skepticism towards such forecasts, and Andrew Palmer, who highlights the potential for job displacement due to AI but also the emergence of new roles. The episode concludes with a surprise: 92% of companies involved in a four-day workweek trial in 2023 plan to continue it, reflecting a significant shift in work culture.

Takeaways

• 🔮 Predictions about the future, such as Smell-o-vision and miracle pills, are challenging to make and often don't come true as expected.
• 🤖 Elon Musk's recent prediction about artificial intelligence leading to a future where no one has to work highlights the uncertainty of predicting the future of work.
• 🏠 The COVID-19 pandemic has made the prediction of working from home a reality for many, showing that some predictions can be realized under specific circumstances.
• 📊 A significant trial of a four-day working week in 2023 by 60 British companies resulted in 92% of them planning to continue this arrangement, indicating a potential shift in work patterns.
• 🤔 The phrase 'take something with a pinch of salt' is an idiom that means to doubt the accuracy or likelihood of something being true, which is relevant when considering predictions.
• 🏁 A 'track record' refers to past achievements or failures, and the script suggests that predictions about the future of work have a poor track record of coming true.
• 👨‍🏫 Professor Brendan Burchell from the University of Cambridge expresses skepticism about the accuracy of future work predictions, citing a gradual but not dramatic reduction in working time.
• 👨‍💼 Andrew Palmer, business editor for The Economist, does not believe AI will eliminate all jobs but warns of the 'sequencing risk' where job displacement by AI may not align with the creation of new jobs.
• 🌐 The future of work is unpredictable and can be unexpectedly altered by technological advancements and societal changes.
• 📈 The script suggests that while some jobs may be replaced by AI, new job opportunities are likely to emerge, although the timing and nature of these jobs are hard to forecast.
• 📚 The vocabulary learned in the script includes idioms and phrases that help understand the context of predictions and the future of work.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in this episode of '6 Minute English'?

The main topic of discussion is the future of work, including the possibility of a four-day working week and the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs.

What predictions from the 1930s are mentioned in the script that have not yet come true?

The script mentions the predictions of Smell-o-vision, a television that allows viewers to smell things, and a miracle pill that cures all diseases as examples that have not come true.

What did Elon Musk predict about the future of work?

Elon Musk predicted that artificial intelligence will eventually lead to a situation where no one will have to work.

What was one of the predictions about the future of work that came true during the Covid pandemic?

During the Covid pandemic, the prediction that everyone will work from home came true, as millions were forced to do so.

What is the meaning of the idiom 'to take something with a pinch of salt'?

The idiom 'to take something with a pinch of salt' means to doubt or be skeptical about the accuracy or likelihood of something that has been told to you.

What does 'track record' refer to in the context of the script?

In the script, 'track record' refers to the past achievements or failures of economists and social scientists when making predictions about the future of work.

What does 'come to pass' mean, as used in the script?

'Come to pass' is an old-fashioned way of saying that something has happened or come true.

What is Andrew Palmer's view on the impact of AI on jobs?

Andrew Palmer is not a dystopian and does not believe that AI will get rid of all jobs. However, he is concerned about a sequencing risk, where some jobs and professions are at risk, and new jobs may not appear at the same time to replace them.

What percentage of companies in the 2023 trial of a four-day working week planned to continue with it?

A significant 92% of the companies involved in the trial planned to continue with the four-day working week.

What does the term 'dystopian' refer to in the script?

In the script, a 'dystopian' is someone who imagines or foresees a nightmarish future characterized by suffering and injustice in society.

What does it mean when something 'crops up' in the context of the script?

When something 'crops up' in the script, it means that it appears or happens unexpectedly.