Our Work Here is Done: Visions of a Robot Economy

This book looks at the phenomenon of new robot technologies, asks what impact they might have on the economy, and considers how governments, businesses and individuals should respond to them.

This book looks at the phenomenon of new robot technologies, asks what impact they might have on the economy, and considers how governments, businesses and individuals should respond to them.

Book chapters

  • The economics of a robot future
  • Technological possibilities
  • Robots of the past and of the future
  • Robots and justice

Not long ago, this worry was the stuff of science fiction. Now, as self–driving cars take to the streets and robots fill our warehouses and factories, it is entering mainstream political debate around the world.

This raises important questions for all of us. How society uses new technologies is not a foregone conclusion. It depends on political decisions, cultural norms and economic choices as much as on the technologies themselves.

This book features views from a range of disciplines, including economics, engineering, history, philosophy and innovation studies.

Editor
Stian Westlake

Contributors
Ryan Avent, Frances Coppola, Frederick Guy, Nick Hawes, Izabella Kaminska, Tess Reidy, Edward Skidelsky, Noah Smith, E. R. Truitt, Jon Turney, Georgina Voss, Steve Randy Waldman and Alan Winfield

Authors

Stian Westlake

Stian Westlake

Stian Westlake

Executive Director of Policy and Research

Stian led Nesta's Policy and Research team. His research interests included the measurement of innovation and its effects on productivity, the role of high-growth businesses in the eco…

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