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A computer may be next to come after your job
FIRST it won at Jeopardy. Now it might threaten millions of low-wage jobs. At least, that seems to be the implication of a Bloomberg News article on International Business Machines Corp's Watson supercomputer.
Developers are now figuring out how to use Watson's processing power to replicate the experience of working with an "experienced in-store salesperson" when shopping for clothes. The software would combine databases provided by retailers with customer preferences for style and fit to help people find what they are looking for.
If it works, this technology would be a boon for those who prefer to shop from home. Right now, only a small percentage of shopping occurs online. Shipping costs could be one reason. Another is that many are hesitant to buy things over the Internet when they cannot try them out first, especially clothing. That reticence could be overcome by the new technologies. If a computer knew your body shape and the dimensions of each piece of clothing, it could show you exactly how items would fit.
Instead of going to stores where you would have to struggle to find sales help, compete with other customers, browse from a limited selection, wait to try on clothes, and then stand in line before paying, you could just talk to Watson about what you want and have it trawl through its list of what's available. Then the clothes could be shipped from a warehouse. Retailers could save money by reducing or getting rid of their stores and staff employed there. At least some of those savings would get passed along to consumers in the form of lower prices.
People who work in brick-and-mortar stores may not be as sanguine as the rest of us about these developments. According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, there are more than 1.4 million Americans working in clothing and clothing accessories stores and another 1.5 million in department stores.
Economists who study these issues think that the rise of the machines has contributed to the gradual polarisation of the workforce into elites and relatively low-wage labourers. Until now, however, those poorly paid workers - including more than 15 million in retail - were relatively safe compared with their middle-class brethren.
How many of those jobs will be obviated by sophisticated computer software? Will the displaced be able to find gainful employment in future? The track record of employment growth in sectors with low or declining productivity is not encouraging.
BLOOMBERG
FIRST it won at Jeopardy. Now it might threaten millions of low-wage jobs. At least, that seems to be the implication of a Bloomberg News article on International Business Machines Corp's Watson supercomputer.
Developers are now figuring out how to use Watson's processing power to replicate the experience of working with an "experienced in-store salesperson" when shopping for clothes. The software would combine databases provided by retailers with customer preferences for style and fit to help people find what they are looking for.
If it works, this technology would be a boon for those who prefer to shop from home. Right now, only a small percentage of shopping occurs online. Shipping costs could be one reason. Another is that many are hesitant to buy things over the Internet when they cannot try them out first, especially clothing. That reticence could be overcome by the new technologies. If a computer knew your body shape and the dimensions of each piece of clothing, it could show you exactly how items would fit.
Instead of going to stores where you would have to struggle to find sales help, compete with other customers, browse from a limited selection, wait to try on clothes, and then stand in line before paying, you could just talk to Watson about what you want and have it trawl through its list of what's available. Then the clothes could be shipped from a warehouse. Retailers could save money by reducing or getting rid of their stores and staff employed there. At least some of those savings would get passed along to consumers in the form of lower prices.
People who work in brick-and-mortar stores may not be as sanguine as the rest of us about these developments. According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, there are more than 1.4 million Americans working in clothing and clothing accessories stores and another 1.5 million in department stores.
Economists who study these issues think that the rise of the machines has contributed to the gradual polarisation of the workforce into elites and relatively low-wage labourers. Until now, however, those poorly paid workers - including more than 15 million in retail - were relatively safe compared with their middle-class brethren.
How many of those jobs will be obviated by sophisticated computer software? Will the displaced be able to find gainful employment in future? The track record of employment growth in sectors with low or declining productivity is not encouraging.
BLOOMBERG
