The Dark Side of Automation, AI and Robotics

By nature I'm an optimistic person.  By profession I am a futurist that studies historic patterns and future trends.  By education I am an economist and political scientist. All of these background influences come together when I am pondering the future, and lately I have been contemplating automation and job displacements.

I remember studying the concept of social contract in college.  It's a theory that describes an agreement among individuals in a society to create and abide by a set of rules, norms, and governance structures to ensure mutual benefit, security, and order.  The idea is we agree to give up some rights and independence in order to gain certain benefits that will help us have a greater quality of life, and hopefully an improved standard of living.  Think of being taxed, so we can have roads, bridges, public education, police and firefighters.

What happens though when the "mutual benefits" agreed to, fall out of balance, and the benefits are weighted in favor of one group over another?  The short answer is - bad things.  

The U.S. economy added 256,000 jobs in December 2025, the most in nine months.  That's great news for workers, but it's bad news for business owners and shareholders as it means interest rate reductions may be delayed, and labor costs may increase.  This tension and potential imbalance around divergent interests is also found in emerging technologies including automation, AI and robotics. Let's ponder together some potential impacts of these if they are allowed to "unbalance" our social contract.

The Human Cost of Job Loss, Instability, and Anti-Social Consequences in the Age of Automation

The rapid advancement of technology, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, is poised to revolutionize the labor market, bringing both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges. While technological innovation promises increased productivity and economic growth, it also carries the potential for widespread job displacement, economic instability, and social unrest. Let's now examine the human cost of disruption, focusing on the potential for job loss, the resulting social and psychological impacts on workers, and the broader ripple effects on communities and society.

The Scope of Job Displacement

Studies project significant job losses due to automation in the coming decades:

• United States: 30-40% of jobs may be disrupted or transformed by automation by 2035.
• United Kingdom: 20-30% of roles likely to face significant changes by 2035.
• Global Impact: Up to 800 million workers worldwide could require reskilling by 2030.

Sectors and Roles at Risk

While the impact of automation will vary across industries, some sectors and roles face a higher risk of displacement:

• Manufacturing and Logistics: Robots are automating repetitive and manual tasks, particularly in manufacturing and logistics.
• Customer Service: AI-powered chatbots and voice assistants are replacing routine customer interactions.
• Healthcare: Robotics will support patient care, while automation in administrative functions is reducing clerical roles.
• Transportation and Delivery Services: Autonomous vehicles are expected to displace jobs for truck drivers, delivery personnel, and rideshare drivers.
• Administrative and Clerical Roles: AI and automation are rapidly replacing routine administrative tasks.
• Middle Management: Automation in decision-making tools and data analysis is reducing reliance on traditional middle-management positions.
  

The Psychological and Social Impact of Job Loss

Job loss can have profound psychological and social consequences for workers:

• Fear and Anxiety: Losing a job can lead to fear about the future, financial insecurity, and anxiety about the lack of opportunities.
• Anger and Resentment: Workers may feel anger towards their employers, the government, or technology itself for causing their job loss.
• Loss of Identity and Purpose: For many, their job is a significant part of their identity and provides them with a sense of purpose. Losing a job can lead to a loss of self-worth and social isolation.
• Reduced Motivation and Engagement: Workers facing potential job loss may experience reduced motivation and disengagement from their work.
• Resistance to Change: Fear and anxiety may lead to resistance towards adopting new technologies or learning new skills.
• Increased Stress and Health Issues: Job loss and financial insecurity can significantly impact mental and physical health.
• Social and Economic Disruption: Widespread job losses in certain areas can lead to social and economic disruption, including increased poverty and crime.
• Political Polarization: Job losses and economic anxieties can fuel political polarization and social divisions.

Anti-Social Behaviors and Ripple Effects

Job losses can also trigger a range of anti-social behaviors with ripple effects:

• Increased crime rates: Economic hardship and unemployment can lead to an increase in crime rates.
• Substance abuse: Job loss and the associated stress can contribute to an increase in substance abuse.
• Domestic violence: Financial strain and emotional distress caused by unemployment can increase the risk of domestic violence.
• Social unrest: Widespread job losses and economic inequality can lead to social unrest and protests.
• Political extremism: Economic anxieties and feelings of disenfranchisement can fuel support for extremist political movements.
• Mental health problems: Job loss can significantly impact mental health, leading to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and even suicide.
• Reduced social engagement: Unemployment can lead to social isolation and withdrawal.
• Decreased civic participation: Job loss and economic hardship can reduce civic engagement and participation in community activities.

These are the kinds of things that can happen when citizens perceive their social contract no longer benefits them.  

Purposeful Unemployment

In the past, large numbers of job losses typically happened around recessions or depressions - events that were most often undesired and outside of the immediate control of our leaders.  In the case of automation, AI and robotics, however, we are purposely developing technologies to eliminate large numbers of jobs.  I wonder if we have thought this through enough?  

In societies where businesses prioritize shareholder value above all else, the purposeful displacement of workers through automation could lead to significant negative consequences:

1. Increased Economic Inequality: As businesses automate jobs to reduce labor costs and increase profits, the wealth gap between business owners and the workforce is likely to widen. This could lead to a concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, while a significant portion of the population experiences economic hardship.

2. Social Unrest and Erosion of Trust: The perception that businesses are prioritizing profits over people could lead to social unrest, protests, and a decline in trust in corporations and institutions.

3. Political Polarization: The economic divide caused by job displacement could fuel political polarization, with increased support for populist or anti-establishment movements that promise to address the concerns of displaced workers.

4. Mental Health Crisis: The psychological and social impact of job loss, coupled with economic insecurity, could lead to a mental health crisis, with increased rates of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

5. Rise of Anti-Social Behaviors: Economic hardship and social inequality can contribute to an increase in crime rates, domestic violence, and other anti-social behaviors.

6. Skills Gaps and Long-Term Unemployment: If reskilling and upskilling efforts fail to keep pace with technological advancements, widespread job losses could lead to persistent skills gaps and long-term unemployment.

7. Decline in Consumer Spending and Economic Slowdown: Reduced disposable income due to job losses can lead to a decline in consumer spending, potentially triggering an economic slowdown or recession.

8. Strain on Social Services: Increased demand for social services, including unemployment benefits and healthcare, could strain government resources and lead to budget deficits.

9. Erosion of Social Cohesion: Economic inequality and social instability can erode social cohesion and lead to increased social fragmentation.

10. Decline in Innovation: A focus on short-term profit maximization through automation could stifle long-term innovation and economic growth.

Mitigating the Negative Impacts

Avoiding and mitigating these potential consequences should be our number one priority! Addressing the challenges of job displacement and its consequences requires a multi-faceted approach:

• Investing in Reskilling and Upskilling: Governments and businesses must invest in reskilling and upskilling programs to help workers transition into new roles and industries. 
• Strengthening Social Safety Nets: Governments need to strengthen social safety nets, including unemployment benefits and career transition programs, to mitigate the impact of job displacement. 
• Promoting Economic Development: Governments and businesses should promote economic development initiatives to create new job opportunities in emerging sectors. 
• Fostering Collaboration: Governments, businesses, and educational institutions need to collaborate to develop comprehensive strategies for addressing the challenges of job displacement and automation. 
• Addressing Mental Health and Well-being: Providing mental health support and resources to workers experiencing job loss and economic hardship is crucial. 

We as a society need to prioritize ethical and responsible automation strategies, invest in reskilling and upskilling their workforce, and consider the social impact of their decisions. Governments need to strengthen social safety nets, invest in education and training programs, and create policies that promote equitable economic growth. Individuals need to embrace lifelong learning and adapt to the changing demands of the labor market. 

We have the Agency

I hope we enter this period in history with our eyes wide open.  I hope we study the past, and the future with wisdom and foresight, and purposefully create a society that helps us improve our quality of life, our standard of living, and one that chooses a thriving community over a voided contract.

*I use generative AI in all my work.

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Kevin Benedict

Futurist at TCS

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***Full Disclosure: These are my personal opinions. No company is silly enough to claim them. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.