Several articles tackle this sensitive issue, explaining how a recently published study can explain a central question about robots: whether they replace human workers or augment them by boosting productivity.
This article from Quartz says:
In a recent study (pdf), economists Daren Acemoglu of MIT and Pascual Restrepo of Boston University try to quantify how worried we should be about robots. They examine the impact of industrial automation on the US labor market from 1990 to 2007. They conclude that each additional robot reduced employment in a given commuting area by 3-6 workers, and lowered overall wages by 0.25-0.5%.
Meanwhile, this second article from The Verge adds:
The fear that automation in the form of robots or artificial intelligence is going to destroy jobs is widespread. But it can be difficult to gauge just how serious to take the threat. Different reports offer different estimations of how many jobs will be lost, while politicians and economists argue that technology creates as many jobs as it destroys, maintaining an equilibrium in employment over the long run.
To wrap up this challenging discussion on a high note, here is a video currently making the rounds entitled “Rayna meets a robot.” Watch out, it will give you the feels.
Action 4 Media Education 