Computers and Work

themes:

automation has been associated with a decline in the know-how expected of the worker and with making work less physically strenuous. The obvious next step seemed to be to eliminate the worker entirely. Lights out factories are becoming more common, particularly in continuous flow processes.
David Noble wrote a study of the history of computer-controlled machine tools (Forces of Production : A Social History of Industrial Automation). There were two options for automation--record-playback and numerical control. Record-playback was easier to implement and less expensive, but managers did not want to be dependent on the skill of workers.
Where are we going? Flexible automation?

robots:

Dewey

Robots were touted as the next step in the history of mass production after the assembly line. However, a robot that can do anything like what a person can do in assembly is extremely expensive, and likely to remain so.
when are robots more cost efficient than hiring people?
robots to clean house have been predicted for an awfully long time, but maybe the technology is finally possible .
the promise that robots would lead to better jobs isn't realized in any simple way

clerical work (see also Computerization at Work )

give the computers to executives before secretaries or the executives will associate them with clerical work and refuse to use them
the computer as a replacement for clerical workers--professionals now do a lot of their own clerical work.
clerical workers take on more responsibility without more pay
raw clerical work can be more closely supervised : the computer monitors number of keystrokes in a day

artificial intelligence ( What is Artificial Intelligence by one of the pioneers or an interesting opinion piece )

Eliza fooled people as early as 1966, other examples at MGonz (caution, language), talk with John Lennon , or hampy the hamster expert or for more see botspot and choose chatterbots
Expert systems: a lot of what professionals do can be reduced to decision trees, and computers can keep all the possibilities in mind better than the person ( what are expert systems )

how about a computer diagnosing disease? (see for example The Heart Disease Project )
to what extent can expert systems replace engineers?

one of the big goals was language translating, and that has come into use (though imperfect)
Neural Networks --an approach to making a computer that can learn by copying the brain

Impact of computers on professionals:

autocad replaces mechanical drawing and speeds up designing
computer modeling allows quick and easy testing
math and statistical programs make calculations easy
professionals do a lot of their own clerical work
expert systems may be better than professionals for some applications--how do you put the two together

telecommuting

International Telework Association

flexibility for family responsibilities (more juggling)
social isolation makes it harder for workers to move up (loss of networking) and organize

the role of technology
Is this really a growing trend? AT&T Telework Guide , Is Telework Right for You