14 Is it True That Robots and AI Will Take Away People’s Jobs?
The argument that robots and artificial intelligence (AI) will take away people’s jobs has been a recurring concern lately, similar to the fears experienced during previous technological revolutions. To explore and expand on this argument, it’s important to understand both the historical context and the current implications of technological advancements.
When the printing press was invented in the 15th century, it revolutionized the way information was disseminated, leading to increased literacy and education levels. However, scribes who manually copied books feared for their livelihoods. Some countries resisted the adoption of this technology, risking significant economic and cultural lag. This resistance highlights a common pattern: fear of job loss often accompanies technological innovation.
Today, similar fears arise with the advent of software development, AI, and robotics. Critics argue that these technologies will lead to widespread unemployment as machines replace human labor. However, this perspective overlooks several key points.
Firstly, technology enhances productivity by automating repetitive tasks, allowing human workers to focus on more complex and creative endeavors. For example, robots in manufacturing can handle dangerous and monotonous tasks, reducing workplace injuries and freeing up human workers for roles that require problem-solving and innovation.
Secondly, just as the printing press created new roles in publishing, distribution, and education, modern technologies generate new job opportunities in tech development, maintenance, and support. The rise of AI has led to demand for data scientists, machine learning engineers, and AI ethicists, roles that did not exist a few decades ago.
Thirdly, increased efficiency leads to economic growth, which can raise living standards. By utilizing technology to boost productivity, countries can enhance their competitiveness, leading to higher wages and better working conditions. For instance, advancements in agricultural technology have enabled farmers to produce more food with less labor, contributing to food security and reducing poverty.
To maximize the benefits of technological advancements, it is crucial to invest in education and training. By equipping the workforce with the skills needed to thrive in a technology-driven economy, countries can ensure that workers are not left behind. This involves reskilling and upskilling programs to provide opportunities for workers to learn new skills relevant to emerging industries, emphasizing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education to prepare future generations for tech-centric roles, and encouraging continuous learning to adapt to rapidly changing job markets.
While the fear that robots and AI will take away jobs is not unfounded, history shows that technological advancements can lead to economic growth, job creation, and improved living standards when managed properly. By investing in education and training, and by embracing technological change, societies can transform potential job displacement into opportunities for innovation and progress. Rather than resisting change, we should focus on adapting to it and leveraging technology to enhance human potential and well-being.
As can be seen in the table below, which consists of OECD data, Russia, Mexico, and Greece are at the top of the list of countries where people are employed the most. Keeping people in a workplace does not mean that we will get enough efficiency from those people. On the contrary, productivity is low in countries with high working hours. It is ideal to reduce people’s working hours, increase productivity and production, and achieve better living conditions with higher incomes. For example, Norway is one of the countries where people work the fewest hours, and on the other hand, it is one of the countries where people are the most productive. In general, the table supports that this is true, considering the example of many countries.
Two-column table listing countries and their average annual working hours per worker. Values are in hours per year.
| Country | Hours per year |
|---|---|
| Mexico | 2,147.9 |
| Russia | 1,929.0 |
| Greece | 1,956.0 |
| Chile | 1,941.0 |
| Israel | 1,892.9 |
| Turkey | 1,832.0 |
| Poland | 1,786.7 |
| Czech Republic | 1,784.0 |
| Ireland | 1,754.6 |
| New Zealand | 1,748.0 |
| Estonia | 1,746.1 |
| United States | 1,728.5 |
| OECD – Total | 1,726.0 |
| Portugal | 1,720.9 |
| Australia | 1,720.5 |
| Canada | 1,707.3 |
| Slovak Republic | 1,696.9 |
| Latvia | 1,692.5 |
| Spain | 1,686.0 |
| European Union | 1,632.0 |
| Lithuania | 1,586.7 |
| Slovenia | 1,563.2 |
| Switzerland | 1,552.0 |
| Finland | 1,550.7 |
| United Kingdom | 1,530.0 |
| Austria | 1,507.2 |
| Luxembourg | 1,505.0 |
| France | 1,495.5 |
| Sweden | 1,474.0 |
| Iceland | 1,447.4 |
| Netherlands | 1,431.9 |
| Germany | 1,382.5 |
| Norway | 1,381.9 |
| Denmark | 1,381.9 |
Two-column table listing countries and their productivity index values.
| Country | Productivity Index |
|---|---|
| Mexico | 22.360078 |
| Chile | 28.497914 |
| Russia | 29.314955 |
| Hungary | 33.262384 |
| Latvia | 38.919661 |
| Greece | 39.402976 |
| Poland | 41.293575 |
| Portugal | 41.730592 |
| Slovak Republic | 43.385458 |
| Turkey | 44.018911 |
| Czech Republic | 44.350615 |
| Israel | 45.364475 |
| Japan | 45.936075 |
| New Zealand | 45.924306 |
| Lithuania | 50.631504 |
| Slovenia | 53.860542 |
| Spain | 57.807543 |
| OECD – Total | 58.801014 |
| Canada | 60.309032 |
| European Union | 62.542877 |
| Australia | 65.204287 |
| United Kingdom | 67.025622 |
| Finland | 69.251408 |
| Iceland | 72.884673 |
| Germany | 73.386527 |
| Sweden | 73.913521 |
| Netherlands | 74.123271 |
| France | 74.635794 |
| Austria | 74.833318 |
| United States | 74.839378 |
| Switzerland | 78.083176 |
| Denmark | 80.950783 |
| Norway | 93.826293 |
| Ireland | 104.09129 |
| Luxembourg | 105.071322 |
This data suggests that there is a strong correlation between reduced working hours and increased productivity. On the other hand, countries with longer working hours, such as Russia, Mexico, and Greece, often see lower productivity levels. This indicates that simply keeping people employed for longer hours does not equate to higher efficiency or better outcomes.
In contrast, the integration of technology, particularly robotics, has shown to be beneficial in enhancing productivity. South Korea, leading the world in the number of robots per worker, serves as a prime example of how embracing automation can significantly boost productivity. This approach not only increases production efficiency but also contributes to improved living standards by allowing workers to focus on more complex and rewarding tasks.
Moreover, investing in technology and reducing working hours can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling work-life environment. By prioritizing the well-being of workers and leveraging technological advancements, countries can achieve sustainable economic growth and enhanced quality of life for their citizens.
In conclusion, the data from the OECD and the World Economic Forum underscores the importance of modernizing work practices. By reducing working hours and embracing technological advancements like robotics, countries can enhance productivity, improve living conditions, and ensure higher incomes for their populations. This balanced approach to work and technology is essential for creating a prosperous and sustainable future.
Some say that AI will kill us. But honestly, we don’t need AI to destroy us, we’ve been doing that to each other for centuries. Just look at the history of conflict, the millions of lives lost in wars, genocides, forced migrations, and brutal political struggles. Even today, in the 21st century, people are still killing people. Children are growing up in refugee camps. Families are forced to leave their homes. Entire regions are torn apart by human decisions, ideologies, and power struggles. The tragedy lies not in the machines we’ve created, but in our inability to live peacefully with one another.
If anything, perhaps AI will hold up a mirror to our own flaws. Maybe it won’t be perfect, no system is, but perhaps it will end up being more democratic than we are. Maybe it will treat people with greater consistency and fairness. Maybe it will be programmed to respect ethical principles that we, as humans, so often fail to uphold. Perhaps AI will not be driven by greed, nationalism, revenge, or fear. And if we guide it well, perhaps it will help us become better, too.
What if AI could help us move beyond our worst instincts? What if it could become a tool not just of productivity, but of peace, of understanding, of inclusion?
This is not to idealise artificial intelligence, nor to overlook its risks. But in a world where human beings continue to fail one another, the real danger is not the technology we develop, but the values we fail to defend.
This argument was true for the advent of printing tools hundreds of years ago, has been pertinent for robots in the last few decades, and is now especially relevant with the rise of AI. AI can improve the labor market rather than worsen it. As the labor market changes rapidly, many job titles will disappear in a short time. However, if people prepare themselves by acquiring the knowledge and training AI can provide, they can adapt to these changes.
With AI’s help, people can train themselves and create their own qualifications, rather than depending on institutions that often involve bureaucracy and paperwork. This shift will put the labor market more under the control of the workers themselves. They will be able to get and identify the qualifications they need, determine wage rates, set working hours, and define time frames, among other aspects. This newfound control can lead to a more efficient, responsive, and equitable labor market, tailored to the needs and capabilities of the workforce.
The increasing use of robots in the workforce remains a widely discussed topic worldwide. According to the latest data from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) 2024 report, South Korea leads the world with 1,012 robots per 10,000 manufacturing employees, reflecting its highly automated industrial sector. In contrast, China has 470 robots per 10,000 workers, highlighting a significant gap between the two automation leaders. Meanwhile, other countries show varying levels of robot density, with the global average standing at approximately 74 robots per 10,000 workers, providing a useful benchmark for comparison.
Three-column table with rank, country, and number of robots per 10,000 manufacturing employees.
| Rank | Country | Robot Density (per 10,000 employees) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Korea | 1,012 |
| 2 | Singapore | 770 |
| 3 | China | 470 |
| 4 | Germany | 429 |
| 5 | Japan | 419 |
| 6 | Sweden | 343 |
| 7 | Hong Kong | 333 |
| 8 | Taiwan | 292 |
| 9 | United States | 295 |
| 10 | Denmark | 246 |
| 11 | Italy | 224 |
| 12 | Switzerland | 296 |
| 13 | France | 194 |
| 14 | Austria | 205 |
| 15 | Spain | 160 |
Source: IFR (International Federation of Robotics), Visual Capitalist, Statista (2024) licensed under a CC-BY NC license.
