Edward Conard

Top Ten New York Times Bestselling Author

  • “There are an amazing number of good ideas and interesting points made in Unintended Consequences. The thinking underlying it, and the obvious depth of understanding of the author, are very impressive.” - Steven Levitt, coauthor of Freakonomics; 2004 John Bates Clark Medal
  • “Unintended Consequences provides a provocative interpretation of the causes of the global financial crisis and the policies needed to return to rapid growth. Whether you agree or not, this analysis is well worth reading.” - Nouriel Roubini, New York University; Chairman, Roubini Global Economics
  • “…reminds us that inequality sends a signal of what society lacks most, in America’s case, entrepreneurship and risk taking.” - Lawrence Lindsey, CEO, The Lindsey Group, former Director of the National Economic Council
  • “Unintended Consequences represents the most cogent and persuasive analysis of the Financial Crisis to date.” - Andrei Shleifer, 1999 John Bates Clark Medal Winner
  • “A full-throated defense of economic dynamism.” - The Wall Street Journal
  • “…a comprehensive explanation of the modern economy.” - Julian Robertson, Founder, Tiger Management
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  • “…challenges misconceptions that distort our economic debates.” - Arthur Brooks, President of the American Enterprise Institute
  • “Unintended Consequences should be read by anyone who takes for granted the superiority of progressive taxation and has not thought carefully about the trade-offs involved.” - The New Republic
  • “…challenges misconceptions that distort our economic debates.” - Arthur Brooks, President of the American Enterprise Institute
  • “Unintended Consequences offers deep and well-argued analyses on almost every issue.” - The New York Times
  • “Unintended Consequences is full of substance, it is one of the must-read books of the year, and once I finish it I will be giving it a second read through right away.” - Tyler Cowen, Professor, George Mason University
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AI's Most Exposed Industry Keeps Hiring

AI Summary. Call center employment continues to grow despite AI automation because lower costs per interaction drive companies to expand customer service volume rather than reduce headcount.

Torsten Sløk Apollo
Date Posted:
May 4, 2026

The number of Filipinos working in call centers has risen every year since 2016 to ~2mm, despite the AI boom. Sløk argues this is “Jevons paradox in action: as AI makes call center work cheaper and faster, companies are buying more of it, not less.”

How is call center employment growing despite AI automation?

Core argument: Nearly two million workers in the Philippines now work in call centers, up every year since 2016 and through the.

Nearly two million workers in the Philippines now work in call centers, up every year since 2016 and through the AI boom. This is Jevons paradox in action: as AI makes call center work cheaper and faster, companies are buying more of it, not less. Lower cost per interaction does not mean fewer interactions. It means more customers served, more channels opened and more markets worth reaching. The technology that was supposed to shrink the industry is fueling its expansion.

Takeaways by Macro Roundup® AI

  1. Nearly two million workers in the Philippines now work in call centers, up every year since 2016 and through the.
  2. Lower cost per interaction does not mean fewer interactions.
  3. It means more customers served, more channels opened and more markets worth reaching.

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