In 1968, an episode of the Australian program Four Corners titled "When computers learn your job, what are you going to do?" captured a concern that has resonated through the decades: what happens when machines take over human jobs? The program discussed how computers were beginning to replace humans in office work, manufacturing, and other professions.

With a mix of fascination and fear, people watched technological advancements and wondered what place they would have in the future. Let’s explore how this fear has evolved and what we can learn from history.

1968: A Future of Machines and Anxiety

At the time of the Four Corners broadcast, computers were still large, bulky, and expensive machines. They were far from today’s portable laptops and cloud-based AI systems, but their potential to streamline tasks was already evident. In the program, workers and experts expressed concern that their jobs could be automated away. Machines could calculate faster, sort data more efficiently, and perform tasks without fatigue.

Many saw technology as a threat to their careers. There was a fear that human labor would become redundant and that society would face massive unemployment. Does this sound familiar? Today, we are discussing the exact same issues as AI and automation rapidly reshape the job market.

The Two Sides of Technology

Historically, new technology has always replaced certain jobs but also created new ones. During industrialization, many craft professions disappeared as machines began mass-producing goods. In the 20th century, typewriters and later computers replaced many manual office tasks, but at the same time, they created a demand for IT technicians, programmers, and data analysts.

But the psychological effect of seeing one's job threatened by technology cannot be underestimated. People often identify with their work, and when machines take over tasks, it can create a sense of insecurity and loss.

In the Four Corners clip, we see a world where people were beginning to realize that technological unemployment was no longer a distant science fiction idea but a concrete reality. A similar concern exists today with AI-driven automation.

AI and Automation Today: A Modern Version of 1968

If we fast-forward to 2025, we see the same questions. AI systems can write articles, create art, code programs, and analyze complex data faster than humans. Robots and automated systems take over monotonous tasks in factories, and self-driving cars threaten the transportation industry.

But at the same time, new opportunities arise. Digital careers, remote work, and AI-based product development have given rise to industries that were unimaginable in 1968. The question is: have we learned anything from history?

What Can We Learn from 1968?

1. Technology drives change, but also new opportunities.

   • In the 1960s, it was difficult to imagine the digital revolution. Today, we can see that new technology has led to more jobs in technology and service sectors.

2. Human adaptability is the key.

   • Those who learned to use computers at the beginning of the IT era found new career opportunities. The same applies today with AI and automation.

3. Education and retraining are crucial.

   • Many who feared automation in the 1960s could have benefited from more education in technical fields. The same is true today.

4. Society must adapt.

   • Political decisions and economic strategies must balance technological progress with labor market needs.

Conclusion: The Future is Ours to Shape

In 1968, the question was, "What will we do when computers take our jobs?" Today, the question is more complex: "How can we adapt to a world where AI and automation are part of our daily lives?" The difference is that we now have 50 years of experience with technological changes to learn from.

Change can be frightening, but it is also an opportunity for growth. Instead of fearing automation, we should see it as a chance to redefine work and what it means to be human in a technological era.

The future is not set in stone – it is ours to create.