Luddite or technophile?—policy preferences for governing technology-driven economic change

Abstract

Recent robotics and artificial intelligence advancements have exacerbated fears of technology-driven unemployment and inequality. However, the relationship between automation risks and regulatory policy support remains inconclusive. Moreover, the role of institutional safety net in shaping this connection, and factors influencing preference shifts regarding automation, remain understudied. This study conducts an online survey experiment in the UK and Sweden to address these gaps. First, we find subjective concern, and occupational risks combined with perceived weaker labor market safeguards, lead to calls for automation restriction and job loss compensation. These trends are particularly pronounced in the UK, where institutional protection for workers is less robust. Second, people support accelerating technology-driven change when they see its benefits shared widely, but this shift is mainly observed among individuals relatively safer from automation risks. Our findings suggest strengthening the institutional safety net and envisioning equitable benefit-sharing are crucial for moderating public anxiety toward technology-driven economic change.