The article explores the historical context of economics, tracing its roots back to David Ricardo, who emphasized the importance of human labor in the creation of value and social conflict. It highlights how for two centuries, economy was shaped by concepts like wages, productivity, and international trade, all revolved around human work. However, with advancements in artificial intelligence and robotics, this paradigm is being challenged as machines begin to replace human labor completely, raising fundamental questions about value and distribution in a future economy where human work is not the primary factor of production.

The author posits that we are entering a new economic phase that Ricardo, despite his absence from the present technological context, would understand well through his analytical lens. The rise of AI shifts the conversation from mere efficiency to questions about the distribution of economic surpluses generated by these technologies. As automation takes a more prominent role in production, the core issue emerges not so much on how efficient these systems are but rather who benefits from the economic outcomes they create.

This shift could have far-reaching implications for society, including potential disparities in wealth distribution and changes in labor dynamics, underscoring the need for a reassessment of economic principles in light of technological advancements. The discussion calls for a renewed focus on policy and economic frameworks that can address these emerging challenges and ensure that the benefits of AI and automation are equitably shared among all stakeholders in the economy.