getAbstract Marketing
A Better Way to Think About AI
Article

A Better Way to Think About AI

Artificial intelligence is ready to collaborate. Why fixate on automation?

David Autor and James Manyika
The Atlantic, 2025
Read the article

Read, Listen, or Discuss

Amazon Kindle  Discuss
  • 0.5×
  • 0.75×
  • 1×
  • 1.25×
  • 1.5×
  • 1.75×
1×

Editorial Rating

9

getAbstract Rating

  • Controversial
  • Eye Opening
  • Concrete Examples

Recommendation

Should machines replace or support human expertise? MIT economist David Autor and Google Research head James Manyika argue that AI often works best as a partner, not a substitute, for human experts. While not categorically against AI fully taking over certain tasks, they warn that over-automation could erode critical human skills and lead to catastrophes. Offering clear examples and persuasive logic, Autor and Manyika make a robust case for balancing automation with collaboration as AI reshapes work and daily life.

Summary

In general, an AI tool is either designed for automation or collaboration.

Automation tools function independently and don’t require oversight, entirely replacing humans within the scope of their functioning. Examples include ATMs, dishwashers, and automatic transmissions in automobiles. Collaboration tools can’t function independently of human users — whether a collaboration tool functions well or badly depends on the expertise of the human involved. Examples include chainsaws, stethoscopes, and word processors. Some systems combine automation and collaboration tools. For example, car transmissions might be fully automatic, but the safety system might operate collaboratively.

Automation overreach can cause harm.

Automation tools may be able to perform specific tasks as well, if not better, than human experts. However, they are only effective solutions when they can complete a given task without...

About the Authors

David Autor, an expert in public policy and economics, teaches at MIT and codirects both the NBER Labor Studies Program and the Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work. James M. Manyika is senior vice president for research, labs, technology, and society at Google-Alphabet, overseeing Google Research. He has served as chair and director of McKinsey Global Institute and as vice chair of the National AI Advisory Committee.

Comment on this summary