Almost half of employees--49 percent--fear they will lose their jobs to A.I., according to a new survey commissioned by Microsoft. At the same time, 70 percent hope that A.I. will help them manage their ever-growing workloads instead. It's clear from these numbers that many people see A.I. as both a benefit and a threat. This oddly contradictory view of artificial intelligence is somehow a perfect symbol of its place in our imaginations at this moment in history--something that will eliminate countless jobs, boost creativity, and put an end to drudgery, or perhaps a monstrous force that will take over our planet and enslave humanity.
