經濟學人精讀 The Economist
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人工智能對傳統勞動力帶來了很大的衝擊，因此，經濟學家指出，我們應該考慮勞動力在未來經濟發展中身份的轉變。人工智能的發展和進步需要大量有質量的數據進行訓練，因而，數據的質量是限制其發展的主要因素。就這一點而言，經濟學家指出應當將數字勞動力，也就是提供高質量數據的用戶，與傳統勞動力平等看待，也應按勞支付。因而，就產生了第二個問題：如今大部分數字勞動力的所得都成為了企業的收益。這一問題反應出的是數據市場中權利不平衡的現象。因為往往大量數據的集合才有意義，而個人數據卻毫無價值，換言之，數據的價值都掌握在企業手中，因而，收益也被企業所得。這樣一來，數字勞動力缺乏金錢刺激，也便難以保證數據的質量。因此，進一步解決如何將數據勞動力成果按勞分配成為了下一個難題。
The digital proletariat[數字無產階級]
Economists propose a radical solution to the problems posed by artificial intelligence [經濟學家對人工智能顯現出的問題提出了一個激進的解決辦法]
YOU have multiple jobs, whether you know it or not[不論你知不知道，你有多個工作]. Most begin first thing in the morning, when you pick up your phone and begin generating the data that make up SiliconValley’s most important resource[大多數人在早上開始做第一件事，當你拿起手機，開始產生數據，這些數據組成了硅谷最重要的資源]. That, at least, is how we ought to think about the role of data-creation in the economy, according to a fascinating new economics paper[根據一篇精彩的新發表的經濟學論文，這至少是我們應該如何思考數據創造在經濟中所扮演角色]. We are all digital labourers, helping make possible the fortunes generated by firms likeGoogle and Facebook, the authors argue[作者認為，我們所有人都是數字勞動力，幫助像谷歌和臉書這樣的公司，使它們產生財富成為可能]. If the economy is to function properly in the future—and if a crisis of technological unemployment is to be avoided—we must take account of this, and change the relationship between big internet companies and their users[如果經濟在未來能夠良好運作——如果技術性失業的危機可以避免——我們必須考慮到這一點，並且改變大型網絡公司和他們用戶之間的關係].
Artificial intelligence (AI) is getting better all the time, and stands poised to[準備就緒的]transform a host of[大量的]industries, say the authors(Imanol Arrieta Ibarra and Diego Jiménez Hernández, of Stanford University, Leonard Goff, of Columbia University, and Jaron Lanier andGlen Weyl, of Microsoft)[作者（斯坦福大學的IAI 和 DJH，哥倫比亞大學的LG，和微軟的JL和GW）認為，人工智能一直在變得更好，並隨時準備改變大量的行業]. But, in order to learn to drive a car or recognise a face, the algorithms that make clever machines tick[打上勾，在文中指讓機器學到新技能，也就是我們平常說的“新技能get✅”]must usually be trained on massive amounts of data[但是，為了學習駕駛汽車或者識別人臉，讓聰明的機器獲得這種技能的算法通常需要通過大量的數據訓練]. Internet firms gather these data from users every time they click on a Google search result, say, or issue a command to Alexa[亞馬遜的智能個人助理][互聯網公司從，比如說，用戶每一次點擊谷歌搜索結果，或者向Alexa發出指令來蒐集數據]. They also hoover up valuable data from users through the use of tools like reCAPTCHA[指用戶在登錄時需要輸入的驗證碼，通常是一串字母], which ask visitors to solve problems that are easy for humans but hard for AIs, such as deciphering[辨認]text from books that machines are unable to parse[他們同樣通過使用工具，比如驗證碼工具，向用戶獲取有價值的數據，其要求訪問者解決那些對人工智能很難，但對人類很簡單的問題，比如辨認來自書籍的一些機器無法分析的文本]. That does not just screen out[篩選出]malicious[惡意的] bots[網絡機器人], but also helps digitise[將信息轉化為數字形式]books[這樣不僅僅篩掉了惡意網絡機器人，也幫助將書轉化為數字形式]. People “pay” for useful free services by providing firms with the data they crave[渴望][人們通過向企業提供他們渴求的數據，為有用的免費服務“買單”].
These data become part of the firms’ capital, and, as such, a fearsome[可怕的]source of competitive advantage[這些數據成為了企業資本的一部分，嚴格意義上說，是一種競爭優勢的可怕的來源]. Would-be[未來的]startups that might challenge internet giants cannot train their AIs without access to the data only those giants possess[未來的那些可能挑戰互聯網巨頭的初創公司，若不通過那些只有巨頭才有的數據，是無法訓練他們的人工智能的]. Their best hope is often to be acquired by those very same titans[泰斗，巨人], adding to the problem of uncompetitive markets[他們最大的希望通常是被那些同樣巨擘收購，增添了非競爭市場的問題].
That, for now, AI’s contributions to productivity growth are small, the authors say, is partly because of the free-data model, which limits the quality of datagathered[作者認為，現在，人工智能對生產力增長的貢獻很小，部分原因是因為免費數據模型限制了蒐集到的數據的質量]. Firms trying to develop useful applications for AI must hope that the data they have are sufficient, or come up with ways to coax[哄騙]users into providing them with better information at no cost[那些嘗試為人工智能研發有用應用的公司，一定希望他們擁有的數據是充足的，或者想出引誘用戶無償為他們提供更好信息的方法]. For example, they must pester[糾纏]randompeople—like those blur-deciphering visitors to websites—into labelling data, and hope that in their annoyance and haste[匆忙]they do not make mistakes[例如，他們必須纏著隨機用戶——就像那些訪問網站的模糊破解（驗證碼）的訪客——讓他們為數據貼標籤，並希望在他們的惱怒與匆忙中不要犯錯].
Even so, as AI improves, the amount of work made vulnerable[易受影響的]to displacement[取代]by technology grows, and ever more of the value generated in the economy accrues[積累]to profitable firms rather than workers[即使這樣，隨著人工智能的進步，那些易受影響而被科技取代的工作數量增長，甚至，經濟中產生的更多的價值會給獲利的企業，而不是工人們]. As the authors point out, the share of GDP paid out to workers in wages andsalaries—once thought to be relatively stable—has already been declining over the past few decades[正如作者指出的，GDP中支付工人薪水和工資的份額——一旦認為是相對穩定的——已經在過去幾十年中減少].
To tackle these problems, they have a radical proposal[為解決這些問題，他們提出了一個激進的提議]. Rather than being regarded as capital, data should be treated as labour—and, more specifically, regarded as the property of those who generate such information, unless they agree to provide it to firms in exchange for payment[數據應該被看作是勞動力，而不是資本——更確切的說，是被當作那些產生這些信息的人的財產，除非他們同意向公司有償提供這些數據]. In such a world, user data might be sold multiple times, to multiple firms, reducing the extent to which data sets serve as barriers to entry[在這樣的世界中，用戶數據可能被多次出售，出售給多個企業，降低了數據作為門檻的高度]. Payments to users for their data would help spread the wealth generated by AI[向用戶的數據支付費用可能會幫助傳播人工智能帶來的財富]. Firms could also potentially generate better data by paying[企業也將有可能通過支付費用獲取質量更好的數據]. Rather than guess what a person is up to as they wander around a shopping centre, for example, firms could ask individuals to share information on which shops were visited and which items were viewed, in exchange forpayment[例如，企業可以有償要求個人分享他們去哪購物，看了哪些商品的信息，而不是猜測他們在購物中心閒逛時在做的事情]. Perhaps most ambitiously, the authors muse[沉思]that data labour could come to be seen as useful work, conferring[賦予]the same sort of dignity as paid employment: a desirable side-effect in a possible future of mass automation[這可能是作者最具野心地思考，數據勞動力可能被視為有用的工作，擁有與有償工作相同的尊嚴：在一個可能大規模自動化的未來中，最理想的副作用].
The authors’ ideas need fleshing out[以細節充實]; their paper, thought-provoking[發人深省的]though it is, runs to only five pages[這些作者的想法需要充實；他們的論文，雖然發人深省，但是隻有5頁]. Parts of the envisioned scheme seemimpractical[部分設想的方案看上去不太實際]. Would people really be interested in taking the time to describe their morning routine or office habits without a substantial monetary inducement (and would their data be valuable enough for firms to pay a substantial amount)[人們真的會在沒有實質性金錢刺激的情況下，對花時間記錄他們早晨的日常或是辦公室習慣感興趣嗎（以及他們的數據的價值足夠值得企業支付大量費用嗎）]? Might not such systems attract data mercenaries[唯利是圖的], spamming firms with useless junk data simply to make a quick buck[快速掙錢][這樣的系統不會吸引那些利用無用的垃圾數據而僅僅為了快速掙錢的、唯利是圖、發送垃圾郵件的數據公司嗎]?
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Nothing to use but your brains[除了大腦，什麼都不用]
Still, the paper contains essential insights which should frame[表達，說出]discussionofdata’sroleintheeconomy[儘管如此，論文包含的重要的見解，應該在關於數據在經濟中角色的討論中加以表述].Oneconcerns[關係到]theimbalance of power in the market for data[一個是關係到在數據市場中的權力不平衡]. That stems partly from[源自]concentration among big internet firms[一部分是源自大型互聯網公司的專注]. But it is also because, though data may be extremely valuable in aggregate, an individual’s personal data typically are not[但是，也同樣因為儘管數據聚集起來有很大的價值，但是個人的數據通常沒有]. For one Facebook user to threaten to deprive Facebook of his data is no threat at all[對於一個臉書用戶威脅要剝奪臉書獲取其數據是一點都威脅力都沒有的]. So effective negotiation with internet firms might require collective action: and the formation, perhaps, of a “data-labour union”[因此，與互聯網公司有效的談判可能需要集體行動：可能以“數據勞動力工會”的形式].
This might have drawbacks[這也有可能有缺點].A union might demand too much in compensation for data, for example, impairing[損害]the development of useful AIs[聯盟可能會對數據的補償要求太多，例如，損害有用的人工智能的發展]. It might make all user data freely available and extract compensation by demanding a share of firms’ profits; that would rule out[使…不可能]the pay-for-data labour model the authors see as vital to improving data quality[它可能使所有用戶的數據可自由獲取，並通過要求獲得一部本公司收益而汲取補償；這會讓為數據付錢的勞動力模型失效，而作者認為這一模型對提高數據質量非常重要]. Still, a data union holds potential as a way of solidifying worker power at a time when conventional unions struggle to remain relevant[儘管如此，當傳統的工會難以保持其相關性時，數據工會可以作為鞏固工人權利的一種潛在方式].
Most important, the authors’ proposal puts front and centre the collective nature of value in an AI world[最重要的是，作者的提議將價值的共同屬性加入到人工智能世界的前沿和中心]. Each person becomes something like an oil well, pumping out the fuel that makes the digital economy run[每個人好像一口油井，泵出讓數字經濟運行的燃料].Both fairness and efficiency demand that the distribution of income generated by that fuel should be shared more evenly, according to ourcontributions[公平和效率兩者都要求燃料產生的收益分配應該依據我們的貢獻更加均等的分享]. The tricky part is working out how[困難的部分是找到怎樣能實現的方法].
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【第三遍】詞彙總結 VOCABULARY TAKEAWAY
【radical】
relating to the most important parts of something or someone; complete or extreme
根本的；徹底的，完全的
We need to make some radical changes to our operating procedures.
我們需要對操作規程進行一些根本性的變革。
【poised】/pɔɪzd/
[ after verb ] ready todo a particular thing at any moment
準備就緒的
[ +to infinitive ] The company is poised to launch its new advertising campaign.
公司隨時準備發起新的廣告攻勢。
The military forces are poised for attack.
軍隊準備隨時發起進攻。
【decipher】/dɪˈsaɪ.fɚ/
to discover the meaning of something written badly or in a difficult or hidden way
辨認；破解，破譯
Can you decipher the writing on this envelope?
你能辨認出信封上的字嗎？
【parse】
to separate a sentence into grammatical parts,such as subject, verb,etc.
對（句子）作語法分析
【malicious】
intended to cause damage toa computer system, or to steal private information from a computer system
（對計算機系統進行破壞或盜取個人信息）惡意的
protection against malicious software/code
保護不受惡意軟件／代碼傷害
【bot】
a computer program that works automatically, especially one that searches for and finds information on the internet
（能自動執行特定任務的）網上機器人程序（尤指在互聯網上搜索信息）
Criminals create networks of bots that roam the internet infecting PCs with malware.
犯罪分子製造網上機器人網絡，通過惡意軟件感染電腦用戶。
【digitise】
to put information into the form of a series of the numbers 0and 1, usually so that it can be understood and used by a computer
將信息進行數字轉換，將信息轉換為數字形式
【crave】
to have a very strong feeling of wanting something
渴望，熱望；難以抑制的渴求
Many young children crave attention.
許多小孩子渴望得到關注。
【fearsome】
frightening
可怕的，嚇人的
a fearsome reputation
令人生畏的名聲
a fearsome display of violence
駭人的暴力行為
【would-be】
wanting or trying tobe
想要做
…的；試圖成為…的；未來的a would-be artist/politician
未來的藝術家／政治家
【titian】
a person whois very important, powerful, strong, big, clever,etc.
泰斗；鉅子；巨人
an intellectual titan
學界泰斗
The final will be a clash of the (= a hard struggle and competition between) titans.
決賽將會是一場龍虎鬥。
The soft drink titans (= big companies who produce these drinks) are struggling for control of the market.
軟飲料巨擘正在爭奪市場的控制權。
【coax】
to persuade someone gently todo something or go somewhere,by being kind and patient,or by appearing tobe
哄勸；哄騙；勸誘
Perhaps you could coax your father into taking you to the station.
也許你能花言巧語說服父親帶你去車站。
He has some information I want,so I'm going to try to coax it out of him over a drink.
他知道一些我想要的消息，所以我要設法在喝酒時從他那裡把它套出來。
A mother was coaxing her reluctant child into the water.
一位母親正在哄勸不情願的孩子下水。
a coaxing voice
誘哄的口氣
【pester】
to behave in an annoying manner towards someone by doing or asking for something repeatedly
不斷煩擾，糾纏
At the frontier,there were people pestering tourists for cigarettes, food,or alcohol.
在邊境，有人不斷糾纏遊客，索要香菸、食品或酒。
[ +to infinitive ] John has been pestering her to go out with him all month.
整個月以來，約翰一直纏著要和她約會。
【haste】
(too much) speed
匆忙，倉促
Unfortunately the report was prepared in haste and contained several inaccuracies.
遺憾的是，這份報告準備得有些倉促，裡面有幾處不準確的地方。
[ +to infinitive ] In her haste to get up from the table,she knocked over a cup.
她匆忙從桌邊站起來，結果碰翻了一隻茶杯。
His father had just died and he didn't want to marry with indecent haste.
父親剛剛去世，他不想太過匆忙地結婚——那樣做有悖情理。
【vulnerable】
able to be easily physically, emotionally, or mentally hurt, influenced,or attacked
易受傷的；易受影響（或攻擊）的；脆弱的
I felt very vulnerable, standing there without any clothes on.
一絲不掛地站在那兒，我感覺自己非常脆弱，不堪一擊。
It is on economic policy that the government is most vulnerable.
政府最易受人詬病的是經濟政策。
Tourists are more vulnerable to attack, because they do not know which areas of the city to avoid.
遊客更容易受到攻擊，因為他們不知道城裡哪些地方不該去。
【accrue】/əˈkruː/
to increase in number or amount over a period of time
積累；（逐漸）增加，增多
Interest will accrue on the account at a rate of seven percent.
賬戶上的存款將會以7%的利率生息。
Little benefit will accrue to the city (=it will receive little benefit) from the new transport links.
新的道路修建計劃幾乎不會給倫敦帶來什麼利益。
【muse】
to think about something carefully and for a long time
沉思，默想，冥想
I began to muse about/on the possibility of starting my own business.
我開始思忖自己創業的可能性。
【confer】
to give an official title, honour,or advantage to someone
授予（稱號、榮譽）；賦予（優勢）
An honorary doctorate was conferred on him by Columbia University.
愛丁堡大學授予他榮譽博士學位。
【flesh sth out】
to add more details or information to something
以細節（或信息）充實
These plans need to be fleshed out with some more figures.
這些計劃需要更多的數字加以充實。
【thought-provoking】
making you think a lot about a subject
引人深思的，發人深省的
a thought-provoking book/film
引人深思的書／電影
【mercenary】
interested only in the amount of money that you can get from a situation
唯利是圖的，貪財的
He had some mercenary scheme to marry a wealthy widow.
他有個貪財的計劃，想娶個有錢的寡婦。
【frame】
to express something choosing your words carefully
（措詞謹慎地）表達，說出
The interview would have been more productive if the questions had been framed more precisely.
如果當時問題提得更確切些，採訪就會更有成效。
【stem from】
to start or develop as the result of something
源自；由…造成
Her problems stem from her difficult childhood.
她的問題主要是由艱難的童年生活造成的。
Their disagreement stemmed froma misunderstanding.
他們的分歧源自誤會。
【impair】
to spoil something or make it weaker so that it is less effective
損害，削弱
A recurring knee injury may have impaired his chances of winning the tournament.
復發的膝傷可能降低了他在錦標賽中獲勝的機會。
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