What the Luddites Can Teach Us About Artificial Intelligence

The Luddites have a bad reputation. These days, the word is most commonly used as an insult--shorthand for somebody who doesn't understand new technology, is skeptical of progress, and wants to remain stuck in the ways of the past. That perception couldn't be more wrong, according to Brian Merchant. In his new book, Blood in the Machine, Merchant argues that understanding the true history of the Luddites is vital for workers today grappling with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in the workplace. "At least in my lifetime, the Luddites have never been more relevant," Merchant, 39, tells TIME. "We are confronting a series of cases where technology is being used by tech companies and executives in different industries as a means of trying to drive down wages and worsen conditions so that the entrepreneurial class can make more money."