In the article, the author reflects on the historical context of the Luddites, who opposed technological advancements during the first industrial revolution. Recent advancements in Physical AI challenge the notion that industrial revolutions solely benefit the economy, as seen with the resistance from labor unions against the adoption of robots in places like Hyundai. The author notes that while the Luddite movement was criticized for resisting progress, the current technological landscape posed by AI revolution may warrant a re-examination of their perspective.

The discussion highlights that during the first and second industrial revolutions, the overall employment was boosted despite localized job losses among certain artisan groups. This scenario is contrasted with the third industrial revolution, where despite increases in productivity due to information and communications technology, real wages for workers have stagnated, leading to a decline in job quality. This suggests that while new technologies can create jobs, they can also lead to precarious employment situations for many.

In light of these considerations, the article argues that the current AI revolution, framed by significant advancements in automation and robotics, might indeed justify a return to Luddite-like skepticism, as modern workers may face new uncertainties about job security and the quality of employment in a rapidly changing economic landscape.