In the 1980s, economist Robert Solow made an observation that reminded economists of today’s AI boom: “You can see the computer age everywhere but in the productivity statistics.”
“You can see the computer age everywhere but in the productivity statistics,”
If you only measure the workers, sure. What if you measure the processes that have been automated by programmers?
I’ve automated a semi-manual (first run this script, then that one, and then…) process. Would that process show up on their measurements? I bet it won’t.
I think another big problem that hampers the computer age in many places is bureaucracy and clinging to old structures.
For many companies there are checks that are enforced, simply because there is no trust in a new system, or the processes to be automated requires a major reorganisation that spans departments, and those departments might oppose such a restructuring, may it be for fear of their jobs, simply clinging to old processes or not having the capacity to carry out bigger projects.
If you only measure the workers, sure. What if you measure the processes that have been automated by programmers?
I’ve automated a semi-manual (first run this script, then that one, and then…) process. Would that process show up on their measurements? I bet it won’t.
I think another big problem that hampers the computer age in many places is bureaucracy and clinging to old structures.
For many companies there are checks that are enforced, simply because there is no trust in a new system, or the processes to be automated requires a major reorganisation that spans departments, and those departments might oppose such a restructuring, may it be for fear of their jobs, simply clinging to old processes or not having the capacity to carry out bigger projects.