South Korea, Germany and Singapore are the world's top-ranked nations in preparing their economies for the smooth integration of intelligent automation, according to an index and report released by ABB and The Economist Intelligence Unit. The report, 'The Automation Readiness Index (ARI): Who is ready for the coming wave of innovation?' provides a snapshot across a set of 25 countries of current government-led efforts to anticipate the resulting changes and shape the outcomes of technological progress. In assessing the existence of policy and strategy in the areas of innovation, education and the labour market, the study finds that little policy is in place today that specifically addresses the challenges of Artificial Intelligence and robotics-based automation. In addition, the report says that governmental policies and programs must ensure that the rapid adoption of automation technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) don't leave people unprepared for the new, more human-oriented jobs that will be needed as robots and algorithms take on more of the routine task that can be and will be automated. The report also claims that the engagement between policymakers, industry, educational specialists and other stakeholders is necessary for countries' preparedness for the coming wave of intelligent automation.

Hold the narrative about self-aware artificial intelligence wiping out the human race, at least for now. We've got more pressing issues. According to a study published last week, the United States is quickly falling behind other developed nations in preparing workers for a future driven by AI and automation. The Automation Readiness Index looks at 25 advanced economies to determine which is making the greatest strides in preparing their workforce for an automated future. Researchers broke it down into three main categories: innovation environment (money spent on research and development, and investment in the space), school policies (early education and lifelong curricula), and public workforce development (government-led programs, re-training of workers).