Rise of the Robots

This bestselling guide explores how automation is transforming the economy, threatening jobs, and altering our lives. It raises critical questions about the future of work: What jobs will remain, how many will exist, and who will fill them? As technology advances and machines become more autonomous, the need for human labor diminishes. Artificial intelligence is already on track to render many roles, such as paralegals, journalists, and programmers, obsolete. This shift threatens both blue and white-collar jobs, further straining working- and middle-class families. Concurrently, households face rising costs, particularly in education and healthcare, which have yet to be significantly impacted by technology. The potential outcome is widespread unemployment and inequality, jeopardizing the consumer economy. Traditional responses to technological disruption, like increased training and education, may no longer suffice. We must confront the choice between a future of shared prosperity or severe economic disparity and insecurity. This work is essential for understanding the implications of rapid technological advancement on our economic future and the well-being of society and future generations.