[Aces4]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

So, the tech company needs a robot manufacturer. They can't operate robots that no one ever built. They need autocad experts to draft the plans for each robot. They need computer coders to code the bots. They need engineers to oversee the construction. They need welders, and the guys who dip the hot shaped metal into water (I don't know what they're called but it's a thing). They need centrifuge operators, and die cut operators. That's just to make the robots. Even if the bot manufacturer is 100% automated, they still need someone to make THOSE robots. And to walk through the plant to make sure all the bots are operating properly. And technicians to fix any that have problems. And programmers to tweak the programs if something isn't 100% correct, or if the end-user needs customization.

Those people need to go to the bathroom sometimes. So they need plumbers on the island. They also need electricity - so they need electric workers. They need communications, so they need someone to build and operate cell towers, and an ISP for wifi.

They need someone to pave roads. They need someone to repair roads that were already paved. They need all the exact same things that most communities need everywhere.

Since they can't all be automated, they'll need actual people on this island who make robots, do programming, run networks through buildings, swap out servers, pave roads, and yes - grow food. If it's not a food growing climate they'll need someone to build hothouses. That means they'll need accommodations for truckers - which means a hotel.

Now look at all the people living on or visiting this island who need goods and services. What started out as an exercise to prove how horrible it would be if robotics "took over" an island turns into an entire community created because - someone had to make the robots.

Think AI. Eventually it will evolve to UBI provided by the government. (Universal Basic Income.). Some employees will be needed but not nearly the level we see now.