Varofakis seems to contradict himself in the second paragraph. Will the result be more or less jobs available?
I’m seeing lots of job loses in the retail sector.
Not seeing much to replace these jobs just yet. Not at the same standard of living.
I’m glad I only have about 25 years left to worry about such things.
There's some evidence that job losses in retail stores due to online shopping are already being matched by gains in distribution centers. Now, it's true that the gains won't all be in the same towns where the stores have closed, so there will be hardship.
But as long as government regulations and tax policy don't discourage hiring, history would tell us that automation will be a net plus. It frees up capital that results in new production.