Chapter 21 Robotics and Growth

This chapter examines the implications of introducing “robot capital goods” in a one-sector optimal growth model, assuming a high elasticity of substitution between workers and robots. The growth path will either converge to a steady state, or involve endogenous growth without scale effects. In the latter case, the optimal growth rate of output per worker will converge to a positive number that depends on both technological and preference parameter. Moreover, the rate of growth could be increased permanently by subsidizing saving.