The first industrial revolution created machines that were complementary to us as humanoids. The modern technological revolution is exposing the limits, not of human brawn, but of human brainand instead of being complementary, modern technology is displacing us. A capital is being substituted more and more for labor, threatening jobs, living standards, and, as we know from contemporary political debate, the fabric of the middle class. Successful capitalism needs us to be fully engaged, not just as gadget savouring consumers, which we all are, but also as producers. In other words, we need to have stable, productive high s of employment, which is what robotic is undermining.
Technology might move fast but the fears surrounding it remain ever-present. Back in 2015 Intelligence Squared gathered both tech evangelists and technology naysayers to debate how robots and AI might swallow up jobs in years to come. The speakers included economist, commentator and author George Magnus, internet entrepreneur and author Andrew Keen, technology entrepreneur, presidential advisor and economist Dr Pippa Malmgren, and author and journalist Walter Isaacson. Chairing the debate was journalist and broadcaster Zeinab Badawi.
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