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Erschienen in:

2022 | OriginalPaper | Buchkapitel

2. The Technological Revolution: The Rise of Machines

verfasst von : Marco Magnani

Erschienen in: Making the Global Economy Work for Everyone

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

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Abstract

We are living in the most innovative period in all of human history. On the one hand, the technological and scientific revolution opens up unprecedented opportunities: accelerating human progress, improving the quality of life and overcoming many constraints. From an economic point of view, technology and science can increase productivity and expand the economy generating wealth, relieve humans from heavy and dangerous activities, and increase labour flexibility. On the other hand, some technologies can be used for criminal activities, terrorism, sabotage, restriction of personal freedoms, repression and other ethically controversial objectives. The risks also affect the sustainability of economic growth, the fabric of society and the future of labour, humanity as a whole and its role. Simply witnessing technological development as a mere spectator is not possible. New technologies influence the way we live, think, produce and work. Beyond the technical aspects, they introduce new mental, cultural and strategic models. The upcoming wave of innovation affects everyone. To ride this wave instead of being overwhelmed by it, one must grasp the main innovations and understand how they work and are connected to one another.

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Vorheriges Kapitel Innovation: Engine of Economic Growth (and Employment)

Nächstes Kapitel The Technological Revolution: Professions at Risk and New Jobs

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In 2014, General Robert Cone, leader of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, predicted that by 2030 about a quarter of soldiers would be replaced by robots and combat drones. However, in the raids against Osama bin Laden (May 2011) and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (October 2019), the use of two Belgian Malinois shepherd dogs—named Cairo and Conan—was preferred to robots!

The “Land of Fires” consists of a clearly defined geographical area in Campania, Italy, poisoned by thousands of tons of toxic material and waste illegally buried beneath roads and land.

In 2017, Sophia was granted the Saudi citizenship after passing difficult language tests. It was the first robot with legal status.

In addition to pet robots made to entertain humans, there are also robots whose purpose is to entertain pets!

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In general, while data protection laws in Europe and the United States are driven by the intrinsic right to privacy—therefore, for example, mass tracking of people's movements and contacts using smartphone location data violates the law—many Asian countries have “more pragmatic” legislations. This contrast clearly emerged in the different strategies adopted to fight the COVID-19 outbreak.

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Titel: The Technological Revolution: The Rise of Machines
verfasst von: Marco Magnani
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Buch: Making the Global Economy Work for Everyone
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-92083-8

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-030-92084-5

Copyright-Jahr: 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92084-5_2