Computer aspects of technological change, automation and economic progress

A self-styled technological radical and economic conservative summarizes progress and trends in computer technology and applications to banking, government, health, engineering, and other fields. The amount of raw computing power in the United States has been doubling yearly; the author believes that this trend will continue and that computing power will become available like electricity or telephone service. Full employment can be maintained despite the increased productivity, but ways must be found to minimize the hardships of the displaced. Education must be a continuing process throughout life and society must provide financial support. With centralized information in computer files, privacy becomes a major issue. Reprinted from the report of the National Commission on Technology, Automation, and Economic Progress.