Since the dawn of the industrial revolution 200 years ago, automation has been the subject of both exultation and trepidation around the world. Then, England’s Luddites smashed looms that were replacing jobs for weavers. Worries about robots replacing workers have persisted ever since.
Despite these worries, there has been a consensus, at least in the developed world amongst academics, policymakers, and the public that technological progress is a good thing: providing much of the impetus for economic growth.
Image: Industrial welding robot. (Credit: Phasmatisnox - Wikipedia)
