When Automation affects Labour Productivity

This thesis presents a task-based sustained growth model where human labour and physical capital compete as production factors. The model introduces to the discussion on the potential positive effect that automation has on labour productivity. To begin, chapter one will offer an introduction on automation with the analysis of the historical effects of automation on employment. The second chapter will be dedicated to the definition of the economic model. Section one is dedicated to a review of the task-based approach to the economics of automation. This section will provide a generalization of task-based based models as well as allowing to choose the best model to start with. Section two presents the main contribution of this thesis: the definition a task-based automation-driven growth model. The third chapter concludes with an historical and technical focus on Artificial Intelligence with a final consideration of the potential effects of an Artificial General Intelligence on economic modelling.