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Their findings sparked a global wave of research, as hundreds of scholars began analysing various datasets in search of further proof.

The robo-revolution that wasn't

More than a decade on from these forecasts first appearing, was the gloom ever justified? Did this threat to our jobs and wages really play out?

To answer these questions, my colleagues and I carried out a meta-analysis synthesising the results of dozens of academic papers published since Acemoglu and Restrepo's landmark 2017 study.

Rather than relying on a single dataset, country or time period, we reviewed 52 studies from around the world, covering a total of 2,586 individual estimates of how robots and automation affect wages.

Across the 52 studies reviewed, we found no strong evidence that robots have a consistent impact on wages – either positive or negative.

Some studies reported wage declines, others found increases, but on average, the effect was close to zero. In fact, the estimated overall impact was so small that it fell below even the minimal threshold for economic significance.

While robots might affect wages in specific industries and countries, or among certain groups of workers, we found little global evidence to support the idea that automation is consistently driving wages up or down.

An earlier University of Canterbury-led meta-analysis found similar results when examining the impact of robots on employment.

While those initial findings by Acemoglu and Restrepo showed robots reduced employment, much of the research since has shown no overall negative effect.

Two other meta-analyses, led by researchers in Italy and Germany, also turned up scant consistent evidence for widespread, robot-driven cuts to jobs and wages.

Focus on opportunity, not anxiety

Despite these findings, we still can't say there have been no losers – or winners – amid the rise of automation.

Indeed, some job types, such as those performing routine cognitive or physical tasks, have diminished in importance because of robots, while others, such as those requiring creativity, have become increasingly vital.