Category: Automation Impact on Jobs

On automation and the future of work: A short-read Q&A with economist Daron Acemoglu

As the next generation of robots arrives in the workplace, will they enable workers or replace them? According to MIT’s Daron Acemoglu, one of the most frequently cited economists in the world, this distinction is the difference between technology that raises workers’ wages versus tech that reduces overall employment and stifles wage growth.

Daron Acemoglu is a professor of economics at MIT, a frequent contributor to Foreign Policy Magazine, and co-author of the book Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty . He joined me to discuss his recent research and what technological innovation means for the […]

Automation creates jobs in Mexico, but it also reduces wages, new study suggests

Automation creates jobs in Mexico, but it also reduces wages, new study suggests

Automation in the manufacturing sector is more likely to create new jobs in Mexico than increase unemployment, however, the trend will lead to a decline in wages even when other countries have experienced the opposite effect, according to a new report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Mexico combines significant automation in the automotive sector (accounting for 20% share of manufacturing employment in 2015), more modest automation in electronics (about 12% of manufacturing employment), and virtually no robot usage in textiles and apparel (9% of manufacturing employment), says the study (PDF format) .

In the automotive sector […]

What will the new jobs look like?

What will the new jobs look like?

For the first time in history, technological disruption is likely to impact all the different job types—skill-based, rule-based and analytical—equally and at the same time. Photo: Ramesh Pathania/Mint Last week, I was speaking at a conference on the future of work and I got into a bit of an argument with the rest of the panel as to whether the future will in fact be bleak as they were making it seem. I know that the data doesn’t look good. As much as 65% of the Indian population is of a working age and over the next 15 years, […]

‘Manufacturing will not create jobs, India must look elsewhere’

'Manufacturing will not create jobs, India must look elsewhere’

Adair Turner has been a banker, a director of the McKinsey management consultancy, visiting professor at the London School of Economics, and chairman of the UK’s financial services authority. He has worked on some of the most pressing issues of our time, including global financial stability, climate change, inequality. His current work focuses on the growing global jobs crisis, and on Monday, Turner was in Bengaluru to deliver a talk on `Capitalism and Robots’ as part of a lecture series of the Azim Premji University. He also spoke separately to TOI on the issue.

You appear worried about the […]

5 Myths About Artificial Intelligence (AI) You Must Stop Believing

5 Myths About Artificial Intelligence (AI) You Must Stop Believing

Very few subjects in science and technology are causing as much excitement right now as artificial intelligence (AI). In a lot of cases this is good reason, as some of the world’s brightest minds have said that it’s potential to revolutionize all aspects of our lives is unprecedented.

On the other hand, as with anything new, there are certainly snake-oil salesmen looking to make a quick buck on the basis of promises which can’t (yet) be truly met. And there are others, often with vested interests, with plenty of motive for spreading fear and distrust.

So here is a run-through of […]

I Am Not A Robot, I Am A Human Being

As technological innovations increasingly edge into the workforce, many people fear that robots and machines are destined to take jobs humans have held for decades. Over the last two decades, automation has replaced blue collar jobs in manufacturing and warehousing, and now white collar jobs are increasingly under threat.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates is so concerned about the impact robots might have on employment that he has suggested corporations pay a robot tax for roles that replace humans with robots. Robots and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are going to have a profound impact on many occupations and robotic process automation […]

The Archivist: Have computers taken over?

The Archivist: Have computers taken over?

Newsprint is still available, but many of you may be reading this on some kind of electronic device.

Fifty years ago, on Oct. 1, 1967, Roy P. Stewart, columnist for The Oklahoman wrote this ‘Country Boy’ column:

Headlined: "WRITER FEARS END TO MAN’S DIGNITY Computer-Run World Ahead?"The first time we read this story we were mildly amused. The second time we were interested. The third time we began to worry a bit. It could be so darn prophetic.It was a piece out of Sydney, Australia, from Reuters, quoting the mogul of a computer company. His thesis was that in an age […]

Tech & future of jobs: Time to incentivise human capital

Tech & future of jobs: Time to incentivise human capital

The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) has already started to impact the jobs market. How do these changes matter to us, and specifically how do they impact entrepreneurs?

Twenty years ago, there was no Google. The founder of the world’s largest social media network Mark Zuckerberg was a 13-year-old teenager, probably trying to find his bearings between being a Bar Mitzvah and a prodigy in middle school. While Elon Musk, at 26, was already on his way to making millions that would set him up to dream bigger.

The fact that so much has changed in […]

Tech companies will guide society in artificial intelligence age: Microsoft CEO

Tech companies will guide society in artificial intelligence age: Microsoft CEO

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella addresses the company’s Ignite conference in Orlando, where he explained his views on an AI-infused future. Brian Smale Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella has said it will be down to technology giants to define ethics in the coming era of artificial intelligence, and to plan developments so that society is not left bereft by automation-led unemployment.

Speaking at his company’s annual Ignite and Envision events in Orlando, Mr Nadella fielded questions about the human impact of Microsoft’s ongoing development of AI, and warned governments could eventually be required to pay citizens to perform different, human-centric tasks.

While […]

Robot revolution to boost jobs in London but not in the North

Robot revolution to boost jobs in London but not in the North

Robots are set to create jobs in London with more demand for managers and IT staff, but cut jobs in administrative work and even accountancy across much of the rest of the country Credit: John Phillips/Getty Images The forthcoming robot revolution threatens to exacerbate the North-South divide, creating jobs in London and the South East, but destroying those elsewhere in the country, an economic think tank has warned.

Automation will boost demand for managers and IT workers, but trigger job losses even in skilled trades and some traditional professions.

Overall, there should be no net loss of jobs but there will […]