Will the Hours in the Average Work Week Decrease as Technology Advances?

The question of whether the average work week will decrease as technology and machinery become more advanced is a common one. Let's explore this idea through the lens of historical developments and modern technological trends.

History and the Spinning Jenny

The use of the spinning jenny is a classic example. This invention significantly reduced the amount of work required to spin cotton. But, as history shows, it did not decrease the amount of work for individuals. Instead, it led to new and different work that workers had to adapt to. The same principle applies to automation and AI technologies today.

These modern innovations are akin to the spinning jenny in that they reduce the amount of manual work required, but they often entail a shift towards new tasks and tasks that require more expertise. For instance, while a spinning jenny replaced manual spinning, it also created new jobs related to manufacturing, operating, and maintaining the machines. Similarly, automation and AI are creating new roles that focus on system maintenance, data analysis, and more.

Towards the Luddite Fallacy

At the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, a group of artisans in England known as the Luddites raised concerns that new technology would lead to unemployment. Their fears, however, turned out to be unfounded. As history demonstrates, the Luddite fallacy—and the belief that new technologies will inevitably lead to job loss—is a misconception.

With the advent of new machines, employment opportunities were created in their manufacturing. Moreover, improved productivity through these machines led to lower product costs, increasing sales and, consequently, more demand for worker support. This ultimately resulted in an expansion of the workforce in sectors that benefited from these technological advancements.

Modern Implications: The Evolving Work Environment

Today, as technology plays a more significant role in our lives and changes happen at an accelerated rate, we are witnessing a shift towards maintaining and updating expertise. Unlike the past, the trend now is not only expecting individuals to adapt but also to continuously develop and maintain new skills. This is particularly prevalent in mid-level expert roles where ongoing investment in out-of-office skills is increasingly necessary.

In a world where work and personal life are increasingly overlapping, it's becoming challenging to accurately measure the average work week's duration. Professional development has always been a component of one's duties, but now it may extend beyond the office, blending personal interests and career goals.

This means that while the actual hours in a work week might not have changed significantly, the investment in personal development and maintaining expertise is becoming a focal part of the workday. Thus, the notion of the average work week has become more complex and nuanced.

In summary, historical evidence and current trends suggest that technology does not inherently reduce the average work week. Instead, it shifts the nature of work and creates new, albeit more diverse, roles that require ongoing adaptation and skill development. This dynamic underscores the importance of staying current with technological advancements and continually honing one's expertise.