It’s true that robots (and other smart technologies) will kill many jobs. It may also be true that newer collaborative robots (“cobots”) will totally reinvigorate how work gets done. That, at least, is what the economists are telling us. Should we believe them?
Jul 17
Are You Really Allergic to Penicillin? (Update)
Like tens of millions of people, Stephen Dubner thought he had a penicillin allergy. Like the vast majority, he didn’t. This misdiagnosis costs billions of dollars and causes serious health problems, so why hasn’t it been fixed? We find out in this update of a 2025 episode. SOURC ... Show More
1h 5m
Aug 2019
Why the Robot Revolution is Our Fault
In recent years Amazon has quietly become one of the leaders in automation, reshaping its workforce of nearly 600,000 workers, and the way humans work with robots. We fear robots taking over the world, but do we understand just how we as consumers are making that future happen? L ... Show More
37m 46s
Jul 2023
AI: Looking to the future
It’s been claimed artificial intelligence will be as revolutionary as mobile phones or the internet, but there are fears that developments in AI could come at the cost of jobs.
We assess the pros and cons of this rapidly-evolving technology, with insight from Marc Raibert, Execut ... Show More
18m 11s
Jun 2017
AI, Machine Learning and Human Creativity
<p>Just as manufacturing automation cuts into human jobs, the prospect of creative artificial intelligence raises the specter of robot writers, robot artists and robot musicians who never sleep and always agree with their patron. But paranoia aside, where will creative machine le ... Show More
1h 17m
Jun 2019
What will future jobs look like? | Andrew McAfee
Economist Andrew McAfee suggests that, yes, probably, droids will take our jobs -- or at least the kinds of jobs we know now. In this far-seeing talk, he thinks through what future jobs might look like, and how to educate coming generations to hold them. Hosted on Acast. See acas ... Show More
14m 59s
Sep 2025
What Happens When Capitalism Doesn't Need Workers Anymore?
Imagine a world where AI outsmarts you at work—scary, right? From the Philippines to the US, AI is changing the economic landscape, increasing the GDP of rich nations (5.4% in the US) while putting millions of jobs at risk in developing countries. Will machines leave you behind, ... Show More
15m 29s