Tag: inequality

Robots, jobs and the future of work

Robots, jobs and the future of work

Apocalyptic visions of robots stealing workers’ jobs are not only misguided but have diverted attention from more significant trends. Enrique Fernández-Macías There has been a lively debate over the last decade on the ‘ future of work ’—the implications for employment of recent technical change. With few exceptions, it has had a predominantly negative tone. Recent waves of change—computerisation, robotisation and, more recently, artificial intelligence —are often portrayed as impersonal, pervasive, ineluctable forces, which can bring enormous benefits (mostly for consumers) but also major challenges (mostly for workers).

Projected employment losses over the near future are often counted in the […]

Inside the Digital Society

Inside the Digital Society

By David Souter

Here are two related questions about the relationship between digital technology – to illustrate, I’ll say ‘AI’ – and humans: what can AI do that humans can’t? and

what can humans do that AI can’t? They’re questions that will become more and more important over the next decade. What can AI do that humans can’t (or won’t)? The first is maybe easier to answer. The processing power that’s available today/tomorrow means that computers, AI, datafication can/will analyse information and reach conclusions on a scale that humans simply can’t. Crunching massive data sets means that decisions […]

AI’s Future Doesn’t Have to Be Dystopian

AI’s Future Doesn’t Have to Be Dystopian

When it comes to AI’s effect on the workforce, the real challenge is wages, not jobs.

With Responses From

As an economist my own research agenda is based on the premise that guiding AI toward beneficial outcomes is the most important issue facing our generation. Since Daron Acemoglu and I are kindred thinkers about this subject, I will take this opportunity to underscore and extend his essential message.Acemoglu is right on three key points. First, core AI technologies are indeed advancing rapidly and becoming increasingly powerful. Improvements in machine learning, in particular—such as the deep learning techniques that made such rapid […]

Why Trump Still Has Millions of Americans in His Grip

SOURCE: New York Times

Breaking News
tags: inequality , Economic Policy , Donald Trump , work , Automation
In “ The Bitter Heartland ,” an essay in American Purpose , William Galston , a veteran of the Clinton White House and a senior fellow at Brookings, captures the forces at work in the lives of many of Trump’s most loyal backers: Resentment is one of the most powerful forces in human life. Unleashing it is like splitting the atom; it creates enormous energy, which can lead to more honest discussions and long-delayed redress of grievances. It can […]

Why Trump Still Has Millions of Americans in His Grip

Why Trump Still Has Millions of Americans in His Grip

Beginning in the mid-1960s, the priorities of the Democratic Party began to shift away from white working and middle class voters — many of them socially conservative, Christian and religiously observant — to a set of emerging constituencies seeking rights and privileges previously reserved to white men: African-Americans, women’s rights activists, proponents of ethnic diversity, sexual freedom and self-expressive individualism.

By the 1970s, many white Americans — who had taken their own centrality for granted — felt that they were being shouldered aside, left to face alone the brunt of the long process of deindustrialization: a cluster of adverse economic […]

In wake of COVID, employers step up automation and use of robots

In wake of COVID, employers step up automation and use of robots

As the U.S. economy rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic, employers are turning to greater use of automation, including robots, rather than calling back workers or hiring new ones in many cases.

The trend is affecting almost every sector, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation, retail, restaurants and many kinds of personal and government services.

Airports have begun been using mobile robots to spray disinfecting chemicals on their facilities — work that janitors had initially done wearing moon suits and other personal protection equipment.The Pennsylvania Turnpike eliminated toll collection by hand and switched to a cashless electronic system.Procter & Gamble, the maker of detergents, […]

In wake of COVID, employers step up automation and use of robots

In wake of COVID, employers step up automation and use of robots

At the Grand Food Depot in Los Angeles, a robot moves a restaurant order to the next station before it reaches the customer. WASHINGTON —

As the U.S. economy rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic, employers are turning to greater use of automation, including robots, rather than calling back workers or hiring new ones in many cases.

The trend is affecting almost every sector, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation, retail, restaurants and many kinds of personal and government services.Airports have begun been using mobile robots to spray disinfecting chemicals on their facilities — work that janitors had initially done wearing moon suits and […]

Stark scenarios in U.S. intelligence report paint a dire future for climate, economy unless we make big changes fast

Stark scenarios in U.S. intelligence report paint a dire future for climate, economy unless we make big changes fast

The time is the early 2030s. “The world was in the midst of a global catastrophe. Rising ocean temperatures and acidity devastated major fisheries already stressed by years of overfishing.

“At the same time, changes in precipitation patterns depressed harvests in key grain producing areas around the world, driving up food prices, triggering widespread hoarding, and disrupting the distribution of food supplies, leading to global famine.

“A wave of unrest spread across the globe, protesting governments’ inability to meet basic human needs and bringing down leaders and regimes. … Across the world, younger generations, shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic and traumatized […]

Future of jobs: Roles that will not exist in 2030. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP)

Future of jobs: Roles that will not exist in 2030. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP)

In an era marked by rapid advances in automation and artificial intelligence, jobs will be rendered obsolete through 2030

Even those professions once thought to be insulated from technological disruption face an uncertain future

A large portion of the workforce could become redundant as a result of our incessant pursuit of convenience These days, new technological advances happen all the time — and while some industries have flourished in the changing landscape, others have benefited from (some might say, fallen prey to) automation. Even if it increases productivity and improves our lives, its usage will inevitably […]

Artificial intelligence, jeopardises employment

Artificial intelligence, jeopardises employment

Do millennials face economic uncertainty in the future? As employment increasing become more automated, McKinsey & Company (Global management consultants) predicts that, “60% of all work activities could be automated by 2055”.

As far back as the 16th century, mechanisation was introduced in the form of looms, that were used to weave the material used for stockings and rugs. However, Queen Elizabeth I, was very reluctant to encourage this industry as she felt that “stocking knitters” would become redundant in this field.

By the 19th century, textile workers were facing life changing inventions, as the Industrial Revolution became the catalyst to […]