Continuing advances in robotics are a multiplier to human productivity. If self-driving cars
are able to convert commuting time into productive time for people, that would be a one time
6-20% increase in productivity.
There is a constant stream of successes in robotics and automation for handling some
human tasks (vacuuming, dish washing, factory robots, etc...). Robotics needs to
breakthrough more completely as able and easily-commanded assistants to people. The
artificial general intelligence (AGI) situation is when computers and AI can take over
making faster innovations by themselves.
China achieved its high levels of growth (10-13%/year) because it was catching up with past
technological and business progress and having higher rates of investment. They have
cheap labor and so are not prone to work as hard on robotics. Technology is needed to
enable faster discovery and implementation of improved technological or process innovation.
This would enable more advanced nations to be in a higher growth mode as well.
Regulations and bureaucracy slow the speed of change. India was a major example of how
regulations and bureaucracy can slow economic growth.
The Robots are Coming
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