I think the touch of human labor has a value of its own, especially in high-end manufacturing and services. If high tech automation allows us all to have precisely perfect mass produced tables and chairs, for example, the value of handmade furniture with its "imperfections" will rise. Just as mega-scale agribusiness produces ever more perfect fruits, vegetables, and grains, has been accompanied by more and more people taking an interest in farmers' markets and local producers.

Now, certainly the mass producers are making money, so I'm not suggesting those industries are poor investments. I'm just thinking that strategically, if you want to find a niche that won't be eliminated by technology, look at the high-quality end of any particular market.