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A World Without Work

Technology, Automation and How We Should Respond

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A World Without Work

Written by: Daniel Susskind
Narrated by: Daniel Susskind
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin

'A path-breaking, thought-provoking and in-depth study of how new technology will transform the world of work' Gordon Brown

'Compelling ... Thought-provoking ... Should be required reading for any presidential candidate thinking about the economy of the future' NEW YORK TIMES

New technologies have always provoked panic about workers being replaced by machines. In the past, such fears have been misplaced, and many economists maintain that they remain so today. Yet in A World Without Work, Daniel Susskind shows why this time really is different. Advances in artificial intelligence mean that all kinds of jobs are increasingly at risk.

Susskind argues that machines no longer need to reason like us in order to outperform us. Increasingly, tasks that used to be beyond the capability of computers - from diagnosing illnesses to drafting legal contracts - are now within their reach. The threat of technological unemployment is real.

So how can we all thrive in a world with less work? Susskind reminds us that technological progress could bring about unprecedented prosperity, solving one of mankind's oldest problems: making sure that everyone has enough to live on. The challenge will be to distribute this prosperity fairly, constrain the burgeoning power of Big Tech, and provide meaning in a world where work is no longer the centre of our lives. In this visionary, pragmatic and ultimately hopeful book, Susskind shows us the way.

"This is the book to read on the future of work in the age of artificial intelligence. It is thoughtful and state-of-the-art on the economics of the issue, but its real strength is the way it goes beyond just the economics. A truly important contribution' Lawrence Summers, former Chief Economist of the World Bank

'A fascinating book about a vitally important topic. Elegant, original and compelling'Tim Harford, author of The Undercover Economist

© Daniel Susskind 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

 Automation & Robotics Computer Science Economics Engineering Future Studies History & Culture Social Sciences Theory

Critic Reviews

Compelling ... Thought-provoking ... Should be required reading for any presidential candidate thinking about the economy of the future.
An excellent and timely piece of analysis ... Susskind combines a mastery of global research with insight into how government works. A book of immense importance that demands to be taken very seriously by No. 10, and by anyone who cares about the future of our country and world.
A pathbreaking, thought-provoking, and in-depth study of how new technology will transform the world of work.
A fascinating book about a vitally important topic - and he writes with such elegance that you don't even notice how much you're learning. Elegant, original and compelling. (Tim Harford, author of 'Fifty Things That Made The Modern Economy' and 'The Undercover Economist')
A superb and sophisticated contribution to the debate over work in the age of artificial intelligence. Susskind approaches the debate with a great command of the evidence and with excellent judgment. He takes on all of the major debates: whether new jobs will replace those that disappear, how the income distribution will be affected, and how individuals are likely to allocate their time in the future between work, leisure, study, and other activities. Never glib, consistently wise and well-informed, this is the book to read to understand how digital technologies and artificial intelligence in particular are reshaping the economy and labor market, and how we will live alongside increasingly smart machines. (Jeffrey D. Sachs, Professor of Economics at Columbia University, Director of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network)
Daniel Susskind has written an important book on an equally important topic: the future of work in an economy driven by the advances in artificial intelligence. His conclusion is that ultimately there will be less work, or at least less paid work. This will shake the foundations of our economy and our society. Our institutions will have to be transformed. It will be a daunting challenge. We have to start thinking hard about it now. (Martin Wolf)
This is the book to read on the future of work in the age of artificial intelligence. It is thoughtful and state-of-the-art on the economics of the issue, but its real strength is the way it goes beyond just the economics. A truly important contribution that deserves widespread consideration. (Lawrence Summers, former Chief Economist of the World Bank, Treasury Secretary for the Clinton Administration and Director of the National Economic Council for the Obama Administration)
All stars
Most relevant
Pulls together various strands from sociology ho economics to build the case for action.

Great book

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The author highlights the major changes and disruptions our society is inevitably headed to, as automation and computerisation is increasingly outperforming humans in more and more fields. The "work" as we have known it, in addition to "producing" useful products, also helps to achieve many other equally vital objectives, namely (i) acts as a basis of division of prosperity, (ii) controls and provides Political Power (iii) Gives a senses of purpose to those engaged in work. How should we prepare to achieve these other objectives of "work" in a world that has much less need for human work.
The book is well researched and well presented, thought provoking, and in some cases, presents a different perspective.
The author has omitted an important aspect. In past, since human work was the only way to produce the means of sustenance (what author calls as economic pie), it also helped to limit the human population. Now, with UBI (Or, CBI, Universal or Conditional Basic Income), any one who is born on this earth will have a right to basic means of dignified sustenance. The concept will need a limit on overall population, for it to be practically implementable.
The book reminds me of HG Wells "Time Machine", written 125 years ago, equally relevant today.
The book is a bit too long. A summarised version would be equally good.

A summarised version would be useful.

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great insight. good excerpts from the past make things relatable.
the concepts of Ai and it's impacts are explained well

must read

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Daniel susskind lays emphasis on the future of work and how our lives will be affected by Automation

Exceptional book!!Everyone should read this book

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Elaborate, clear and well researched and illustrated work. It's an irony that the author had to put such hard work on a book of A WORLD WITHOUT WORK!

Well thought and thorough.

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