Humans Need Not Apply

Humans Need Not Apply
Directed by C.G.P. Grey
Produced by C.G.P. Grey
Screenplay by C.G.P. Grey
Edited by C.G.P. Grey
Running time
 15 minutes
Country United Kingdom
Language English

Humans Need Not Apply is a 2014 short internet documentary film, directed, produced, written, and edited by C.G.P. Grey. The film focuses on the future of the integration of automation into economics, as well as the worldwide workforce. Grey released the film online through a YouTube video format.

Premise

A Lexus RX 450h retrofitted as a Google self-driving car

The film focuses on the topic of robots' rapidly increasing usefulness through human society, discussing how automation will lead to a future where "humans need not apply," in regards to their occupations.

Early on, Grey makes an analogy describing how humans once ousted horses out of their jobs, by creating mechanical muscles, such as automobiles. Grey finishes the analogy by connecting the creation of mechanical minds, or "brain labour," will lead to robots ousting humans out of their occupations.[1] Grey also discusses the role of how economics is the force behind a future based upon automation.[2] Grey concludes by stating that 45% of the workforce could be replaced by bots, a number which is both inclusive of professional, white-collar, and low-skill occupations, and higher than the 25% unemployment figure of the Great Depression.[3][4] Grey mentions that even creative occupations are not secure, as he mentions the included bot-composed music in the background of his video.

Additionally, Grey reminds the viewer that he is not discussing or portraying a future based upon science fiction, as he uses examples such as Baxter, self-driving cars (referred to as autos in the film), as well as IBM's Watson, to deliver its subject.[5][3]

Production and funding

The film was funded through Subbable, an optional crowdfunding website launched by Hank Green of the VlogBrothers. Grey uses this website as a means to support his projects.[6] Released on YouTube, on August 13, Grey posted the video onto the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies' website to spur discussion.[7]

Reception

Humans Need Not Apply was covered by several publications, including Business Insider, Huffington Post, and Forbes.[4][8][9] Publications that covered the video complimented its presentation, stating the video is "well-produced".[5] These publications also praised its premise, calling it "thought-provoking," and "compelling," but also maintaining that the points and topics brought up in the video were "terrifying."[1][10] Bruce Kasanoff of Forbes commented that the video was "sobering," and "suggests, in a convincing fashion, that many human jobs will disappear over the coming years, because automation will do them faster, better, and cheaper."[9] After a few days of release, the video reached one million views.[1] As of April 6, 2015, Humans Need Not Apply has earned over 4.2 million views.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Pagano, Margareta (August 17, 2014). "Humans need not apply: The future of jobs is robot-shaped". The Independent. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  2. ↑ Griswold, Alison (August 15, 2014). "Why the Future of Work Is Doomed, in One Video". Moneybox. Slate. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Strange, Adario (August 19, 2014). "Scary Smart Video Predicts Automation Will Make Human Work Obsolete". Mashable. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Love, Dylan (August 13, 2014). "Not Even Doctors And Lawyers Are Safe From Machines Taking Their Jobs". Business Insider. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ford, Martin (August 20, 2014). "The Robots Are Coming and 'Humans Need Not Apply'". Huffington Post. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  6. ↑ Grey, C.G.P. (August 18, 2014). "CGP Grey Crowdfunding, Year 2". CGP Grey. YouTube. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  7. ↑ Grey, C.G.P. (August 14, 2014). "Humans Need Not Apply (Mechanical Minds Will do Your Job)". IEET. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Why Robots Will Steal Your Job, In One 15 Minute Video". Huffington Post UK. August 18, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Kasanoff, Bruce (August 18, 2014). "If 'Humans Need Not Apply,' Will All Our Jobs Disappear?". Forbes. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  10. ↑ Roggeveen, Sam (August 18, 2014). "Humans need not apply: An economic horror movie". The Interpreter. Retrieved August 23, 2014.

External Links