Automation, and the rise of robots with superior A.I. promises to bring about a new era of industry and civilization. Our wildest sci-fi dreams could be realized within the century. Yet, the clamor and hoopla surrounding the topic has been overwhelmingly pessimistic -- bordering on neo-Luddism at times. That is, the fear is that advancements in automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics will destroy millions -- if not hundreds of millions -- of livelihoods. Some of these fears have a kernel of truth to them, all great technological epochs brings about an extreme shuffling around of the workforce.

AI could be one of the biggest commercial opportunities for Ireland. Artificial intelligence (AI) is forecast to boost Irish GDP by 11.6pc or the equivalent of an extra €48bn, according to new research by PwC. The consulting giant recommends that the effect on jobs in the long term will at least be neutral, if not net positive, but this depends on employers putting Ireland at the forefront of the AI revolution by investing in skills and technology. 'Put an action plan in place around AI and manage with the same discipline you would put around any technology-enabled transformation. Don't wait for it to happen around you' – RONAN FITZPATRICK The analysis in the PwC report The Economic Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Ireland's Economy shows that the potential for AI to impact the Irish economy is slightly lower than the global average (13.8pc by 2030 and $15.7trn) but slightly higher than in other northern European (9.9pc by 2030 and $1.8trn) and southern European (11.5pc by 2030 and $0.7trn) economies.

Technology's unrelentingly advance is transforming work and the workplace. McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), using data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Occupational Information Network (O*Net), examined automation's potential effect on the workplace by looking at over 2,000 activities comprising more than 800 occupations. MGI's intriguing results tell an important story about the change that leaders must look for, manage and guide. MGI quantified the time spent on specific activities comprising a range of work and analyzed the feasibility of automating them. The automation potential of various types of work depends on technical feasibility, the availability of skills that automation may replace, cost to automate relative to human wages, and considerations of social-acceptance and regulation.

Yesterday, The Guardian published a provocative opinion piece titled, "Are Robots Going To Steal Your Job? Probably." At first glance, the author's pessimism would seem justified. From robotic gardeners and farmers to robotic pizza delivery services, it seems like every day robots make new forays into jobs traditionally done by humans. But pause to consider technology in historical perspective. Pessimism about new technologies is not new.