Probably a case where choosing ones words carefully helps. If you told me in the 90s "wealth inequality will increase" I probably would believe you. If you had told me "the world will be enslaved" I would have been skeptical. Saying that you were right all along because, while you said the latter, you really meant the former, sounds like retconning.
If we get real, robust automation, we're not going to see wealth inequality head that way. Or, at least, it's not going to matter as much. When anyone can get automation to do all the things they care about, what's the incentive to work like a dog for your whole life?
> When anyone can get automation to do all the things they care about ...
Why would it necessarily be "anyone"? If wealth and capitol are concentrated, and wealthy own automated factories, then what will provide income for the rest? Maybe, as Gibson projects, population will crash (the "Jackpot"). If everyone has enough automation, on the other hand, then we get a Vinge-like future.
What makes you think that everyone will have access to automation? Once a substantial part of society does have it the incentive to provide it to more people will wither away because no one who already has power will gain any by doing so.
