Humans Need Not Apply
| Humans Need Not Apply | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | CGP Grey |
| Produced by | CGP Grey |
| Screenplay by | CGP Grey |
| Edited by | CGP Grey |
Release dates |
|
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 CGP 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
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 displaced horses from their jobs, by creating mechanical muscles, such as automobiles, dismissing the argument that humans will always find new work, seeing as horses are not nearly as much used now. Grey finishes the analogy by connecting the creation of mechanical minds, or "brain labor", 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. Grey used to use this website as a means to support his projects.[6]
Reception
Humans Need Not Apply was covered by several publications, including Business Insider, The Huffington Post, and Forbes.[4][7][8] 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][9] 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."[8] After a few days of release, the video reached one million views.[1] As of April 21, 2016, Humans Need Not Apply has earned over 6.2 million views.
References
- 1 2 3 Pagano, Margareta (August 17, 2014). "Humans need not apply: The future of jobs is robot-shaped". The Independent. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
- ↑ Griswold, Alison (August 15, 2014). "Why the Future of Work Is Doomed, in One Video". Moneybox. Slate. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
- 1 2 Strange, Adario (August 19, 2014). "Scary Smart Video Predicts Automation Will Make Human Work Obsolete". Mashable. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
- 1 2 Love, Dylan (August 13, 2014). "Not Even Doctors And Lawyers Are Safe From Machines Taking Their Jobs". Business Insider. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
- 1 2 Ford, Martin (August 20, 2014). "The Robots Are Coming and 'Humans Need Not Apply'". Huffington Post. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
- ↑ Grey, CGP (August 18, 2014). "CGP Grey Crowdfunding, Year 2". CGP Grey. YouTube. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
- ↑ "Why Robots Will Steal Your Job, In One 15 Minute Video". Huffington Post UK. August 18, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
- 1 2 Kasanoff, Bruce (August 18, 2014). "If 'Humans Need Not Apply,' Will All Our Jobs Disappear?". Forbes. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
- ↑ Roggeveen, Sam (August 18, 2014). "Humans need not apply: An economic horror movie". The Interpreter. Retrieved August 23, 2014.