The introduction of robots has shifted jobs, and there’s reason to believe that it has shifted profits contributing to income and wealth inequality. The simplest illustration is of a company that is owned by one person. If that one person hires a hundred people, then a hundred and one people could benefit from the profits of the company. If the owner replaces the 100 people with robots, the owner receives all of the profits. Take it a step farther. As robots become more capable, robots will be able to make robots. Who owns that next tier of robots? Can the robot receive profit? If the robot damages something, is it liable for the damage? Even if jobs are only shifted instead of eliminated, the introduction of ever-more-capable robots affects the economy.
(Click on the image for the link.)
“Who Will Own The Robots” – MIT Technology Review
Pretending Not To Panic 