Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
#ai
In todays podcast we explore the Jevons paradox, a 19th-century economic theory suggesting that increased efficiency in a resource often leads to higher overall consumption rather than conservation.
Originally applied to coal usage during the Industrial Revolution, this concept is now being used by tech leaders to argue that cheaper, more accessible AI will trigger an explosion in global demand. We examine how this paradox might prevent mass layoffs by increasing the need for human labour in fields like coding and medicine as productivity rises.
However, we also note that this "rebound effect" depends on elastic consumer demand, as seen in the historical shift of the labour market away from agriculture where the demand was inelastic.
Ultimately, we question whether technological optimization will truly create a more prosperous future or if it merely accelerates the depletion of resources and traditional roles.
AI was used to assist in the creation of this video.
I'm not employed by, paid or sponsored by, any company mentioned in these videos, I'm just a fan of their products.
An index of all our YouTube videos can be found here.
gsfsoftware.co.uk/PBTutorials/Projects.htm
Music by ghosthack.de
#ai
In todays podcast we explore the Jevons paradox, a 19th-century economic theory suggesting that increased efficiency in a resource often leads to higher overall consumption rather than conservation.
Originally applied to coal usage during the Industrial Revolution, this concept is now being used by tech leaders to argue that cheaper, more accessible AI will trigger an explosion in global demand. We examine how this paradox might prevent mass layoffs by increasing the need for human labour in fields like coding and medicine as productivity rises.
However, we also note that this "rebound effect" depends on elastic consumer demand, as seen in the historical shift of the labour market away from agriculture where the demand was inelastic.
Ultimately, we question whether technological optimization will truly create a more prosperous future or if it merely accelerates the depletion of resources and traditional roles.
AI was used to assist in the creation of this video.
I'm not employed by, paid or sponsored by, any company mentioned in these videos, I'm just a fan of their products.
An index of all our YouTube videos can be found here.
gsfsoftware.co.uk/PBTutorials/Projects.htm
Music by ghosthack.de
