Impact of Information Technology on Society: Assignment

This assignment examines the societal impacts of information technology and automation, focusing on the views of Nick Carr and research from Oxford University. It explores how automation is replacing human labor in various fields, potentially leading to job displacement and deskilling. The analysis considers the shift from automating production processes to automating experiences, as seen in the development of AI assistants. The assignment highlights the importance of carefully considering the role of technology in daily life, with a focus on maintaining human skills and preventing the demeaning of human labor through over-reliance on automated systems. References to the research by Frey and Osborne (2013) and WNYC Studios (2014) are included to support the arguments made regarding the effects of automation on the workforce and society.

Running head: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 1
Information Technology and Society
Student’s Name
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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 2
Information Technology and Society
Automation of work is likely to replace activities that were initially performed by
humans, such as the reading of the gas meter, and travel agents. Recent research conducted by
Oxford University shows that most of the activities done by humans will be replaced by
websites, apps, robots and machines, and amazon because automation is more affordable, and
convenient as compared to when dealing with humans (WNYC Studios, 2014). Similarly,
according to a research conducted, Oxford University approximates that nearly 47% of all the
jobs in the United States are at risk of being replaced by automation in the form of robots,
machines, and computer programs are likely to put all kinds of people out of work. As a result,
Carr notes that there is need for humans to think in a more carefully in regards to the ratio of
robots to human are needed in life in the day to day practices (WNYC Studios, 2014).
According to Carr, in his book "The Glass Cage: Automation and Us," the scholars note
that human beings are putting their skills and brains at risk by choosing technological
convenience. In the world of computers, they are being used to design and use tools. However,
technology, particularly computers, have become a medium for socializing, and for taking in
information (Frey & Osborne, 2013). Even though using technology helps to shape and
experience of life. Initially, technology was used to automate production processes. However,
with the advancements in technology is now automating experience. For instance, when a human
being is typing on the phone it suggests the words to be used to complete what an individual may
be typing. Nonetheless, with the new iPhone's ability to guessing each phrase that a person is
typing with the help of a computer explaining what the entire sentence is going to be. For
instance, the iPhone can guess what a person is writing and the person they are writing to, such
as souse or manager. As a result, the computer suggests the person about the tone be used and

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 3
structuring the entire sentence. In this sense, it is seen as if humans are giving too much to
computers. Allowing a computer to formulate and structure human messages by guessing what
the person's intents to write next in a text is giving away human intimacy. How humans express a
computer should not guess their communication and thoughts. The best way to use computerized
application is to design in a way that is human satisfying and not in the manner in which demean
them (Frey & Osborne, 2013).
The digital age is characterized by many jobs that are likely to be automated. For
example, according to a study by Oxford University, it found that jobs that are most likely to be
automated in over 700 jobs. According to Oxford University study, the jobs that are least likely
to be automated is that of recreational therapists, while those jobs most likely to be automated
include telemarketing at the top followed by title examiners, searchers, and abstractors sewers,
mathematical technicians among many others (WNYC Studios, 2014). Accordingly, the use of
computerized robots and machines is to demean and diminish human labor. The use of
automated assistants should only be used in routine tasks based on the criteria where computers
are best such as speed, efficiency, and not underestimating things that human beings are good at.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 4
References
WNYC Studios. (2014). What to Do When Robots Replace People You Work With | Note to
Self | WNYC Studios. Retrieved 3 October 2019, from
https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/notetoself/episodes/sorry-telemarketers-robots-
are-here-your-jobs
Frey, C., & Osborne, M. (2013). The Future Of Employment: How Susceptible Are Jobs To
Computerization? [Ebook]. Oxford University. Retrieved from
https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/downloads/academic/The_Future_of_Employment.pd
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