Scaremongers play on the idea that robots will simply replace people on the job. In fact, they can become our essential collaborators, freeing us up to spend time on less mundane and mechanical challenges. Rodney Brooks points out how valuable this could be as the number of working-age adults drops and the number of retirees swells. He introduces us to Baxter, the robot with eyes that move and arms that react to touch, which could work alongside an aging population -- and learn to help them at home, too.

Why we will rely on robots

As populations age and fewer adults remain in the workforce, robots will become essential partners rather than job-stealers. Decades ago, librarians feared losing their jobs to computers, but actually saw wages and roles improve as technology became a tool, not a threat. Factory workers now train user-friendly robots like Baxter to handle repetitive tasks, freeing people for more meaningful work. With demographic shifts accelerating, society will rely on machines to help maintain productivity and independence.