The AI Automation Blues [Featuring NotebookLM]

0:00Today on the AI Daily Brief, a discussion around the democracy of automation and the biggest man-made disaster ever. The AI Daily Brief is a daily podcast and video about the most important news and discussions in AI. To join the conversation, follow the Discord link in our show notes.

0:23Hello, friends. Happy weekend. It being the weekend, it is, of course, a long reads episode, and today we're doing something a little bit different. You probably have seen, if you haven't played with it yourself, someone talking about Google's Notebook LM. Importantly, Notebook LM has been around for a while. However, they have a new feature, which is more recent, where it can take any big document or YouTube video and turn it into an audio podcast with two hosts talking to each other. It's a really powerful and very cool tool, one that I think is going to do nothing but get more powerful, the more fine-grained controls they give people over it.

0:59But I thought it would be fun today, instead of just doing my normal full read of a piece, actually throw a piece and feed it into Google's Notebook LM and have it create its own podcast about it. So the piece that I slash it is reading or referencing is by the most excellent Kyla Scanlon. You've probably seen Kyla talk about economics on TikTok or Instagram or Twitter, and she wrote a piece called The Biggest Man-Made Disaster Ever, The Longshoreman Strike and the Democracy of Automation. It is, of course, about the longshoreman strike, which at this point has been resolved, it seems, but it's really about this larger idea of automation.

1:34And so what I'm going to do now is I'm going to play you the summary podcast that was created just by Google reading Kyla's piece, and then we'll come back and discuss it a little bit. All right, so we're diving into this longshoreman strike. And, you know, at first glance, it might seem like just another labor dispute, but it's actually a much bigger deal than that. It really is. And it's not just the number of workers or even the ports involved, though. Yeah. We are talking 36 ports here from Maine all the way down to Texas, completely shut down. Yeah. And that's what like billions of dollars of goods every single day are just stuck.

2:09Exactly. It's having this massive ripple effect throughout the entire economy. One of the sources we looked at put it away that really stuck with me. They said, imagine by week two of this strike, car dealerships are literally empty because the new cars are stuck on container ships sitting out there in the harbor. And it's not just cars, right? I mean, think about all the stuff we rely on every day. clothes, electronics, you name it. Absolutely. And that's what makes this strike such a perfect example of the anxieties people have about automation. You know, it's like this issue that's been simmering in the background and now it's boiling over onto the national stage.

2:42Yeah. And of course, we can't talk about the strike without talking about the ILA, the International Longshoremen's Association and their demands. I mean, that 77 % wage increase that they're asking for, that's definitely eye-catching. Sure. It grabs headlines. But the real sticking point here, and this is where it gets really interesting, is the automation ban they're pushing for. Okay, so to understand that we need some context, right? Like, how did we even get here? Exactly. Well, to grasp the significance of what's happening now, we need to rewind a bit, go back to the 1970s with the introduction of containerization.

3:13You remember that whole thing? Vaguely. It was about, like, standardizing the way goods are shipped, right? Yeah, basically they created this system of using these huge standardized containers to load and unload ships, and it seemed revolutionary at the time. And more efficient, I'm guessing. Way more efficient. Yeah. But it also led to job losses on the docks. And, you know, who wasn't thrilled about that? The ILA. They fought tooth and nail against containerization. So is that basically what we're seeing now with the strike history repeating itself? Like, is automation just the new containerization?

3:45Well, history rarely repeats itself exactly, but it often rhymes. And this situation definitely has some echoes of the past. And yeah, in a way, you could say automation is the new containerization. is a technological advancement that promises to revolutionize the shipping industry, but it also comes with the potential to displace a lot of workers. And that's what makes the strike so significant, right? Because it's not just about what's happening on the docks. It's about this bigger question of how do we handle these rapid technological changes in a way that benefits everyone. Exactly. And to answer that question, we need to dig deeper into what automation on the docks actually looks like and what's at stake for the workers who are on the front lines of this technological shift.

4:24Okay, so let's talk about this automation. What are we actually talking about here when we say automation on the docks? Is it like robots walking around unloading ships? It's actually not that far off. Think about those massive cranes that move the containers on and off ships. Imagine those operating autonomously controlled by computers instead of humans, and instead of those big trucks they use to move containers around the port. Self-driving vehicles following pre-programmed routes. So it's like taking the human element out of the equation and making it this super efficient, well-oiled machine.

4:56Exactly. Right. And from a purely logistical standpoint, it makes sense, right? You eliminate human error. You can operate 24-7. That's all about maximizing efficiency and speed. I get it. But on the flip side, we've got these workers, these longshoremen, many of whom have been doing this job for decades. it's got to be pretty unnerving to see your livelihood potentially replaced by a machine. Absolutely. And I think it's important to acknowledge the very real fear and anger that a lot of these workers are feeling. And the ILA president, he hasn't exactly minced words about this whole thing. Remember that quote we talked about, I'll cripple you.

5:31You have no idea what that means. That's a pretty clear indication of how high the stakes are. Yeah. And it's not like this is some abstract future threat either. One of the sources we looked at mentioned that 2 ,250 West Coast port jobs have already been lost to automation. That's right. And those are just the initial numbers. It's estimated that this number could skyrocket as automation becomes even more widespread. So we're talking about a lot of people potentially losing their jobs. What kinds of jobs are we talking about specifically? Well, it's not just the crane operators, though. Those are definitely some of the most visible roles that could be affected.

6:06We're also talking about the folks who direct traffic on the docks, who inspect and secure the containers, even some of the administrative and logistical tasks. Those could all be automated to some extent. So then we get to this whole question of retraining, right? Like if these jobs are going to be automated, what happens to the people who are currently doing them? Yes, exactly. It's one thing to say, oh, we'll just retrain them. But it's a whole other challenge to actually implement those retraining programs effectively. Right, because you have to consider the cost, the logistics-finding programs that actually align with the skills that are in demand.

6:38It's not simple. It's definitely not, and it's not always successful either. We were looking at some examples from other industries, like manufacturing, for instance, when automations started replacing factory jobs. Some companies invested heavily in training programs, teaching employees how to operate, maintain, even repair those new automated systems. So taking someone who used to work on an assembly line and giving them the skills to be a robotics technician or something. Exactly. It's about bridging that gap between the old way of doing things and the new technological landscape. Okay. So bringing this back to the docks, could a similar approach work for a longshoreman?

7:18Like could these retraining programs be the answer? Potentially. Yeah. But it would require a massive commitment, not just from the shipping companies, but also from the government and from trading institutions to really make it work. Because right now it feels like there's this disconnect. The shipping companies represented by the USMX are all about efficiency and their bottom line. And it's hard to argue with their logic from a purely business perspective. Right. They're saying, look, automation equals efficiency. Efficiency equals higher profits and a stronger competitive edge. And they have a point.

7:48The global shipping industry is incredibly competitive, and U.S. ports have actually been falling behind in terms of efficiency. Yeah. One of the things that jumped out at me was that fact that the top 10 shipping lines control something like 90 % of the market share. That's huge. It is. It's a highly concentrated industry, which means those companies have a lot of power and influence. Which brings us back to this question of who benefits from all this automation, right? If profits do go up as expected, will those gains be shared with the workers who are being displaced? Exactly. And that's the million dollar question.

8:21How do we ensure that the benefits of these technological advancements are shared more broadly? How do we create a future where everyone benefits, not just a select few? So it seems like we're kind of back to this central tension, right? This push and pull between embracing new technology and making sure that people don't get left behind in the process. And that's what makes looking back at the whole containerization thing so interesting. The ILA, they couldn't just stop progress. They couldn't turn back the clock. But they did use their power to negotiate for their members to make sure they weren't just thrown overboard.

8:52So they found a way to adapt to say, OK, we get it. The world is changing. But here's how we're going to make sure that workers are protected. Exactly. Yeah. They fought for things like retraining programs, early retirement packages, even funds to support workers who were displaced by the new technology. It wasn't perfect by any means, but it shows that there are ways to navigate these transitions. Which brings us to today and the argument that U.S. ports are actually lagging behind globally when it comes to efficiency. One of the things we read said that places like Los Angeles and Long Beach are near the bottom of the list.

9:25And a lot of that has to do with our lack of automation. That's something that USMX has been emphasizing. They're basically saying, look, we need to automate to stay competitive in this global market. It's not just about profits. It's about survival. But then how do we balance that with everything else we've been talking about, with making sure that workers aren't left high and dry when the robots take over? Right. And that's where I think we need to move beyond this simplistic framing of workers versus progress. It doesn't have to be a zero sum game. There are models out there that could potentially bridge this gap.

9:57OK, so give me some examples. What kind of models are we talking about here? Well, one idea that's been floated is profit sharing. The thinking is, if automation does lead to those increased profits that the shipping companies are predicting, why not share a portion of those gains with the workers? It could help offset any job losses and give them a direct stake in the success of the technology. So it's like everyone's in it together. If the robots make us more money, everyone benefits. Exactly. And then there's the idea of worker-owned cooperatives. Imagine a future where the dock workers themselves have ownership in the automated systems being implemented.

10:33Interesting. So instead of just being employees, they become worker owners. Right. It's about democratizing these technological advancements, giving the people who are most impacted by them a say in how it all unfolds. You know, we started this whole conversation by talking about this longshoreman strike and whether or not you should be worried about your Amazon packages arriving on time. And I think it's a testament to how important this issue is that we've ended up in a place where we're talking about things like profit sharing and worker cooperatives. It's about rethinking the very foundations of our economy.

11:04Absolutely. This isn't just some isolated labor dispute happening on the docks. This is about the future of work itself and how we as a society are going to grapple with these rapid technological changes that are already transforming our lives. It really is. And I think the key takeaway here is that we have a choice. We can either let these changes happen to us, or we can take an active role in shaping the future we want to see. A future where technology benefits everyone, not just a select few. And with that thought, we'll leave you, our listener, to ponder that very question. What is a future where technology works for everyone actually look like?

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13:32Go to besuper.ai and check it out today. All right, so back to NLW here. Pretty powerful, right? Holding aside the specific context of this piece, I tend to think that what this technology is going to do is not going to be to replace podcasts. And I don't think that's just me being optimistic. I think instead what it's going to do is give people a totally different way to consume any information they want. I think it's going to change how people study, how they learn on the job, because all of a sudden, anything that is a big, long, time-consuming document can be turned into audio, which can be sped up.

14:07I can't read any faster than I can read, but I can listen much faster than normal people listen. Anyways, we'll have a whole different discussion about Notebook LM. Like I said, I wanted to include that as a fun aspect of this. But in terms of Kyla's piece itself, I wanted to come to the end of her essay, where she's talking specifically about automation and societal impact. Kyla writes, This is not the first time there have been strikes against automation, and it won't be the last. Bloomberg had some very thoughtful paragraphs on automation in the push and pull. She then quotes Bloomberg, who said, Similar to the U.S.

14:37auto workers who went on strike last year and to the Hollywood actors and writers who picketed before that, the nation's longshoremen are keen not only to improve their wages, but to protect their jobs from machines that can perform a growing number of tasks without human intervention. Meanwhile, employers at the ports view increased automation as necessary to their competitiveness and ultimate survival. The push-pull of technology raises deep questions about the timeframes each side is operating on. Workers concerned about job security will need to balance the near-term threats with the longer-term risks.

15:03And employers that claim they want to invest in automation for the sake of being competitive in the long run will need to decide how long they're willing to stay shut down because of it. So which is the bigger threat in the end for port workers? Robots that can scan trucks, stack containers, and transport goods, or a reflexive resistance to using them? Back to Kyla, she writes, People want safety. My boyfriend doesn't use much technology at all. He doesn't have social media and barely uses his phone. And it's because he doesn't like what all the tech does to us. He invests in vinyl and steel bikes because that technology still works.

15:33And efficient technology doesn't mean it will last long. He isn't alone in thinking this. Blood and the Machines talks about what happened 200 years ago when the Luddites rose up against automated machines. They wanted existing protections to be enforced in respect for the worker. Brian Merchant, the author, writes, The biggest reason that the last 200 years have seen a series of conflicts between the employers who deploy technology and workers forced to navigate that technology is that we are still subject to what is ultimately a profoundly undemocratic means of developing, introducing, and integrating technology into society.

16:01Back to Kyla, she writes, And this is where the meat of this conversation is at for this piece. How do we talk about automating society? It's all fine and grand and good for the tech people to talk about, people on tech podcasts, tech listeners, but we need a plan for what automation will do and how we will care for the workers impacted. Now, Kyla also goes on to have a bunch of other ideas and discussions around approaches to how people might be involved in automation. Some of that you heard summarized in the Google Notebook LM piece as well. But I think the most important point here is less the solutions and more the fact that this is going to be a quintessential political and societal conversation that we have to have.

16:38I am firmly in the camp that in the long run, the rise of AI will create incredible economic opportunity because I think that the natural tendency for humanity is to just create and consume more. And so a technology which enables much more creation will lead ultimately to just more consumption. I do not think that we'll get stuck at the phase where companies get really excited about doing the same with less. I think the winning companies in this new future will be the companies that do more with the same, or even way more with more. It is ultimately growth, not stagnation, that keeps society evolving.

17:15At the same time, there is going to be a tremendously difficult period where skills that have been honed over the course of decades are just not nearly as relevant that they were before. We've seen this happen, but the scale at which it might happen, the breadth of different job types to which it might happen, which by the way are not just blue-collar but in fact more likely to be white-collar jobs at the beginning, this has the potential to create massive social upheaval. And since some artificial stopping or pausing of technology is a completely unrealistic answer, it basically forces us to go back to the policy and democratic well to figure out how we're going to address this.

17:52The stakes of this conversation are a complete reimagining of the social contract, nothing less. Each of these strikes provides a moment to start thinking about it, but that's really where the discussion needs to go. Anyways, I'm glad that it appears that this strike has been resolved for now. Could have been very, very disruptive. Big ups to Kyla, as always, for her great content. And kudos to the Google team for a really awesome Notebook LM product, which we, of course, will experiment with more here on the show. For now, though, that is going to do it for today's AI Daily Brief. Until next time, peace.