---
title: "Robots Are Not the Enemy"
summary: |-
  The reality is that, far from being doomed by an excess of technology, we are actually at risk of being held back from too little innovation.
date: "2013-09-09"
issues: ["Manufacturing", "Productivity"]
authors: ["Robert D. Atkinson"]
content_type: "Op-Eds & Contributed Articles"
canonical_url: "https://itif.org/publications/2013/09/09/robots-are-not-enemy/"
---

# Robots Are Not the Enemy

The notion that technology, automation and productivity lead to fewer jobs and higher unemployment is simply wrong. There is no logical relationship between job growth and productivity. From a macro perspective, a nation could have high productivity but if they also have a declining workforce, the employment rate will rise. Or, in a micro example, if a firm uses the profits gained from higher productivity to hire more workers, employment will also increase.

---
*Source: Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF)*
*URL: https://itif.org/publications/2013/09/09/robots-are-not-enemy/*