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Teleoperated Humans

44 points · 46 comments · luu

  1. smallmancontrov · · focus · HN ↗
    > Human teleoperation naturally comes with on-the-job surveillance and micromanagement.

    > This technology allows employees to be easily slotted in and out of different jobs with very little friction, which destroys their bargaining power.

    > AI permanently blacklists employees from every minimum-wage job just for being late a few times

    > This can easily lead to a race to the bottom where companies no longer have to providing fulfilling, dignified jobs.

    If I were stuck in this hell, I would gladly assist any superintelligent AI taking a swipe at the humans who put me in it.

    1. xg15 · · focus · HN ↗
      If there is one inexhaustible resource than the stream of ideas of capital owners how to make labor even more miserable.

      ...and of course he is a Rationalist/EA guy. Why am I not surprised?

      1. hax0ron3 · · focus · HN ↗
        The author of the article isn't advocating for teleoperated humans.
        1. lbrito · · focus · HN ↗
          He's celebrating it as a reality that is already here.
          1. ctoa · · focus · HN ↗
            "So, teleoperation is probably very economically productive. Is it a good thing? I think mostly no, for several reasons." followed by several paragraphs discussing the negative consequences. This is celebrating?
            1. xg15 · · focus · HN ↗
              "Mostly" no. You can read a lot of warnings from rationalists that are oddly about the things they are actively working on.

              I think the order of concerns is also telling.

              Primary reason why it's bad: Increase risk of runaway superintellicence, XRisk, etc etc

              Secondary reason: Oh, it will also make most people unable to have a living wage. We should probably do something about that, if it doesn't strain the economy too much.

              The dehumanization of everyone who will still have a job? Nah, not a problem.

              Though I think this dismisses the potential of people to organize, especially in jobs like those. This is why I'm skeptical that future will happen as easily as he is warning here.

              1. jefftk · · focus · HN ↗
                [author]

                Human extinction, mass starvation, and terrible jobs are all outcomes I think we should try hard to avoid. But I do think I have them in the right order!

                (The post is also not about something I'm working on.)

            2. lbrito · · focus · HN ↗
              <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;erkansaka.net&#x2F;2026&#x2F;09&#x2F;10&#x2F;ai-doom-rhetoric-safety-hype&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;erkansaka.net&#x2F;2026&#x2F;09&#x2F;10&#x2F;ai-doom-rhetoric-safety-hyp...
              1. jefftk · · focus · HN ↗
                AI;DR
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