Design ideas are intrinsically linked to the Western idea of progress and the 4 industrial revolutions, from the end of the 18th century to present-day (mechanical revolution, mass production, digital automation and industry 4.0). That is, in evolutionary terms, progress built on the assumption of gradual, continuous change - a self-driven, purposeful and cumulative process. However, since late twentieth-century, the idea of progress has increasingly come under scrutiny as a result of the environmental and social consequences of free-market policies. And so, with industry 4.0, the question is now how AI systems will impact the idea of progress in the perspective of economic and social development, particularly when the effects of AI remain uneven among jobs and economies as exemplified by the introduction of humanoid AI robots. Positively, AI may renew and reaffirm the idea of progress as experimental technology turns into operational technology in homes, offices and on factory floors However, the uncertainty or disruption triggered by AI - revolution or evolution (?), may erode the historical foundations for the belief in progress as a human force for good. To help assess future direction and impact of AI on societies at large, understanding how it is used, and why is as important as measuring how widely it is adopted.
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