The OECD estimates that nearly one in ten occupations could be automatable over the next few years.6 That said, there’s one thing we shouldn’t lose sight of. History books are full of occupations that don’t exist any more. Or is there anyone here who still knows a copperplate engraver, a rag-andbone man, a cooper or a wheelwright?
So being scared of losing one’s job and resisting innovation were commonplace in earlier times of upheaval as well. Just take the protests launched by the Luddites in the 19th century. To this day, you will still find a four-liner – on the internet, of course – which goes like this: “Who got the idea of steam into their head?