摘要: |
Back in the 1970s, the gravel-voiced American singer-songwriter Tom Waits wrote "Step Right Up", a sort of musical monologue about a super product that would do everything its owner wanted. It would mow the lawn, deliver the pizza, pick up the kids, walk your dog, double up on sax, and get rid of your gambling debts. He sang: "It's a friend, it's a companion, it's the only product you will ever need." Tom Waits was satirising what he saw as out-of-control consumerism. But he might as well have been welcoming his listeners to the coming world of artificial intelligence. Political leaders of all stripes are certainly beginning to take note of the social and economic changes that are heading our way, and their impact on geopolitics and individual industries. |