Fast Company Argues Average Work Has Zero Value in AI Era
An article from Fast Company, titled "When 'Average-Level' Work Is Worth Nothing," contends that the availability of competent work at minimal cost diminishes its competitive value. It draws historical comparisons to significant shifts in value, such as how cloud computing altered the skills needed for infrastructure management and how GPS diminished the importance of navigational abilities. The piece asserts that AI has initiated a similar transformation affecting a wider spectrum of knowledge work. The author, publication date, and specific art-world references are not identified. The main argument emphasizes that average-level work loses its worth when it can be accessed nearly for free, impacting knowledge workers broadly. This article was highlighted by ArtsJournal's Belknap blog.
Key facts
- Fast Company published an article titled "When 'Average-Level' Work Is Worth Nothing."
- The article argues that competent work available at nearly zero cost provides little competitive advantage.
- It cites cloud computing as a prior value shift that changed infrastructure management skills.
- It cites GPS as a prior value shift that reduced the value of navigational skills.
- It states AI brought on a similar reset across a broader range of knowledge work.
- The source material does not name an author or provide a publication date.
- The article was surfaced via ArtsJournal's Belknap blog.
- No art-world examples, individuals, institutions, or locations appear in the source content.
Entities
Institutions
- Fast Company
- ArtsJournal
- Belknap