In 1811, the Luddite movement emerged in response to the devastation caused by automated machinery in the stocking industry. The Luddites, led by figures like George Mellor, were not against technology itself but rather fought for the rights of workers against machines that brought profit to factory owners while leaving workers unemployed and impoverished. Factory owners like William Horsfall used violence and hired mercenaries to protect their machines, while the government failed to intervene. Today, the term “Luddite” is used as an insult to those resistant to technological innovation, but journalist Brian Merchant argues in his book “Blood in the Machine” that Luddism represented a struggle for worker rights. The book highlights the relevance of Luddism in the face of modern automation and AI, emphasizing the importance of societal response and regulation to ensure the benefits of automation are shared by all.
https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/rethinking-the-luddites-in-the-age-of-ai