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Which two reasons best explain why the author included paragraph 5 in “Heads Up, Humans”?

Responses

According to a new report by a multi-national accounting and consulting firm based in London, 38% of U.S. jobs are at high risk of being replaced by robots and artificial intelligence over the next 15 years. (paragraph 3)
According to a new report by a multi-national accounting and consulting firm based in London, 38% of U.S. jobs are at high risk of being replaced by robots and artificial intelligence over the next 15 years. (paragraph 3)

Shipping companies have made headlines with self-driving trucks carrying cargo across the country. (paragraph 4)
Shipping companies have made headlines with self-driving trucks carrying cargo across the country. (paragraph 4)

In the U.S., roughly 180,000 taxi drivers, 600,000 ride share drivers, and 3.5 million truck drivers could end up displaced. (paragraph 4)
In the U.S., roughly 180,000 taxi drivers, 600,000 ride share drivers, and 3.5 million truck drivers could end up displaced. (paragraph 4)

“The last 200 years, we’ve had an incredible amount of automation,” argues MIT economist David Autor. (paragraph 6)
“The last 200 years, we’ve had an incredible amount of automation,” argues MIT economist David Autor. (paragraph 6)

Jerry Kaplan, an artificial intelligence expert who’s founded multiple technology startups, has written a book called Humans Need Not Apply. (paragraph 8)

1 answer

The inclusion of paragraph 5 in “Heads Up, Humans” likely serves two main purposes:

  1. Highlighting the Impact of Automation on Employment: The mention of the specific numbers of potential job displacements (180,000 taxi drivers, 600,000 ride-share drivers, and 3.5 million truck drivers) emphasizes the significant risk posed by automation to a large segment of the workforce. This serves to illustrate the real-world consequences of advances in technology, particularly for jobs that rely heavily on driving and transportation.

  2. Supporting the Argument About the Growing Presence of Automation: By detailing the specific categories of jobs at risk, the paragraph reinforces the broader argument about the increasing presence of automation in various industries and its potential to disrupt traditional employment. This lays the groundwork for discussing the societal implications and challenges that may arise as more jobs become automated.

These two points work together to underscore the urgency of addressing the impact of automation on the job market.