Category: Automation Impact on Jobs

Robot revolution could give us bread and roses

Robot revolution could give us bread and roses

John Harris asks what happens next to all the jobs that technology will obliterate ( Ten million jobs could be gone in 15 years. What then?, 30 April ). He fears that inequality will worsen. Not necessarily. Let robots do the boring, repetitive stuff. Humans can do all those jobs required to create a better life for all, and provide decent pay and good working conditions to boot. It’s not rocket science. We need many more care, support, youth and early years workers. In fact, we pretty much need to reinvent local government and the services it should provide. […]

« All Episodes: Gigaom AI Minute – May 4

« All Episodes: Gigaom AI Minute – May 4

We recently surveyed Gigaom’s audience about their views on artificial intelligence. Our audience it primarily made up of business people that have an interest in technology and I would like to use the next several AI minutes to explore the answers.

The fourth question, I think, is very interesting. The first part of it was, we asked, "How likely is it that you and your job will be replaced by automation, before your career is over, before you retire?"

The number of people who said, "Before I retire my job’s going to be destroyed," was 12%. Then we said, think of […]

ADB seminar considers challenge of technological change, globalization, and jobs

ADB seminar considers challenge of technological change, globalization, and jobs

As Asia and the Pacific seeks inclusive and sustainable economic growth, countries are adapting to the possibility that new technologies in fields such as robotics and artificial intelligence may lead to challenges for some industries and groups of workers, according to participants at a high-level Asian Development Bank (ADB) seminar.

“Advances in new technologies will raise incomes and increase demand from Asia’s rising consumer class,” ADB President Takehiko Nakao said at the Governors’ Seminar during ADB’s 51st Annual Meeting in Manila

“Countries that maintain flexible policies, support improvements to education, and put in place a stronger social safety net will be […]

Will You Lose Your Job in a Few Years After Disruptive Technology Takes Hold?

Will You Lose Your Job in a Few Years After Disruptive Technology Takes Hold?

Many have predicted that millions of jobs are in line to become extinct over the next two decades due to automation, but it may not spell the end of overall employment.(Antara Photo/R. Rekotomo) Manila. Many have predicted that millions of jobs are in line to become extinct over the next two decades due to automation, but it may not spell the end of overall employment.

A study by McKinsey Global Institute released in 2017 found that up to 800 million global workers, or one-fifth of the global workforce, will lose their jobs to automation, which is expected to come into […]

Building Your Future: The future of consultants

Building Your Future: The future of consultants

Artificial intelligence is set to play a major part in construction. Where does that leave the humans who work in the sector? Is your job safe from computer automation? It’s a question construction consultants will increasingly have to start asking themselves. And if you think you’re immune, you might need to think again.

We may be used to the idea of robot automation on manufacturing production lines, but white-collar professionals are now feeling the heat from new digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), given the exponential growth in computing power and algorithm-based computer systems. There is talk of automated nurses, […]

ADB seminar considers challenge of technological change, globalization, and jobs in Asia

ADB seminar considers challenge of technological change, globalization, and jobs in Asia

Second, automation takes place only where it is both technically and economically feasible, and it has so far been concentrated in the region’s capital-intensive manufacturing with relatively low employment levels.

“Advances in new technologies will raise incomes and increase demand from Asia’s rising consumer class,” ADB President Mr. Takehiko Nakao said at the Governors’ seminar during ADB’s 51st annual meet. (Image Credit: Twitter) As Asia and the Pacific seeks inclusive and sustainable economic growth, countries are adapting to the possibility that new technologies in fields such as robotics and artificial intelligence may lead to challenges for some industries and […]

The ‘Retail Apocalypse’ May Have to Wait a Bit

The ‘Retail Apocalypse’ May Have to Wait a Bit

As the frontline workers of retail fret that robots , artificial intelligence and automation are gunning for their jobs, the numbers tell a different story.In a recent research note, Michael Mandel, chief economic strategist at the Progressive Policy Institute in Washington, said data from the institute shows that e-commerce and fulfillment centers have added 270,000 jobs since 2014 — which compares to 53,000 in " traditional retail ." Moreover, Mandel noted that these are better-paying jobs. Why such growth? It’s because e-commerce has evolved, he wrote, noting that the emphasis on speed and faster delivery has changed the e-commerce […]

« All Episodes: Gigaom AI Minute – May 3

« All Episodes: Gigaom AI Minute – May 3

We recently surveyed Gigaom’s audience about their views on artificial intelligence. Our audience is primarily made up of business people that have an interest in technology and I would like to use the next several AI minutes to explore the answers.

The third question was about the effect of artificial intelligence on employment, "do you think that automation is going to cause massive unemployment?"

Well, only 5% of our audience thinks that. Then what about "somewhat disruptive," that’s 60% that’s the majority of the responses. The people who say, "It’s not going to have any impact on employment," is 15% and […]

The epic mistake about manufacturing that’s cost Americans millions of jobs

The epic mistake about manufacturing that’s cost Americans millions of jobs

Looking back, there were two kinds of people who lived in America in 2016: people who believed Donald Trump, and people who believed data.

Trump claimed on the campaign trail that globalization had destroyed US manufacturing —and in the process, the American economy—by letting China and other countries steal American factory jobs. From the turnout at Trump’s rallies and the “Make America Great Again” stickers slapped on bumpers across America, it was clear the message was resonating.

The data camp didn’t get it. Yes, the US had hemorrhaged manufacturing jobs, losing close to 5 million of them since 2000. Trade may […]

The Guardian view on a job guarantee: a policy whose time has come

The Guardian view on a job guarantee: a policy whose time has come

Victor Hugo once remarked: “You can resist an invading army; you cannot resist an idea whose time has come.” Today, in the United States, a job guarantee seems just such an idea. Progressives of all shades – from Cory Booker to Bernie Sanders – have embraced policies that to varying degrees say the state should seek to do away with involuntary unemployment. This is a welcome return to a politics of work, which has been missing for too long from advanced economies. It is also heartening that polls suggest the job guarantee is popular , with half of voters […]