AI might be stalled by the same logic that keeps New Jersey gas pumps manned
The article argues that AI adoption may be slowed by human resistance, using historical examples of technological pushback.
The story
The article argues that AI adoption may face resistance similar to the Jersey Pump Principle, where human incentives and stakeholder concerns can stall technological progress, using historical examples like gas pump laws and factory labor reforms.
Source: fortune.com
Our reading
The article compares AI adoption to New Jersey’s gas pump law, where human resistance stalled a superior technology. It’s a funny way to say that people might not want to be replaced by machines, even if the machines are better.
It turns out that the real problem with AI isn’t the tech—it’s the humans who don’t want to be replaced. And if they don’t want to be replaced, they’ll find ways to stop the tech, like putting traffic cones on robotaxi hoods.
So the next time someone says AI is unstoppable, just remember: New Jersey still has gas pumps manned by humans. The future isn’t coming—it’s being held back by people who don’t want to lose their jobs.
