Tag: productivity

‘Robotic process automation is the beginning, expect further disruption in technology and services’

‘Robotic process automation is the beginning, expect further disruption in technology and services’

White collar automation has been happening for a very long time. Robotics is a cool name for efficient software that has led to the creation of a new stream called Robotics Process Automation (RPA). RPA eliminates mundane and tedious tasks freeing workers to focus on higher value work. Since the 4-5 years of its evolution, RPA is now the buzzword for CTOs and CFOs as it delivers 30-40 percent savings and operational efficiency in the first year of adoption and continues to improve efficiencies thereafter. Some of the leading industries adopting RPA in the West are financial services, healthcare […]

The Informal IT School and UiPath launches an RPA specializing course in Cluj and Iasi

The Informal IT School and UiPath launches an RPA specializing course in Cluj and Iasi

The Informal IT school (SIIT) partners with the first Romanian unicorn, UiPath, the world leader in the Robotic Process Automation (RPA) enterprise software market to create an RPA course that will start this autumn in Cluj and Iasi. Entries are open on scoalainformala.ro. “Not long ago we were talking about the technologies of the future when we were talking about terms such as robots, artificial intelligence or machine learning. Here is the time to put these terms in place. UiPath has created a software ecosystem with unprecedented applicability, but especially an extra-fast learning accessibility. I think RPA is one […]

Higher Productivity Is Good for Workers

Higher Productivity Is Good for Workers

(Ralph Orlowski/REUTERS) For most of our history Americans have supported increased productivity, even if it led to economic disruption and worker displacement. Unfortunately, over the last decade that support has weakened. Productivity gains are now portrayed as a tool for greedy corporations to jack up their profits at the expense of workers. Moreover, workers are now seen as so fragile that all automation must be feared. So, rather than support productivity, the dominant narrative favors redistribution and protection from change.

The emergence of this new “productivity doesn’t benefit workers” narrative matters because government policies in a wide array of areas […]

Over Half of Jobs in UK Sectors are at Risk of Being Lost to AI

Over Half of Jobs in UK Sectors are at Risk of Being Lost to AI

The advancement of technology has seen the increased efficiency of processes and systems across all industries. Technological improvements have allowed work to become faster and more accurate and in some cases removed roles altogether. But which industries are most at risk of having their jobs being taken over by AI?

New data has revealed that in some UK sectors over half of the jobs are at risk of being taken over by robots within the next 11 years.

RS Components have analyzed data from PwC and ONS and found that over 30% of jobs in Britain could be taken over […]

Are manufacturing wages stagnating?

Are manufacturing wages stagnating?

Share this article Fight for $15 is the minimum wage raise campaign announced in 2012 when fast-food workers walked out of jobs that paid them $7.25 — the standard federal minimum wage per hour. Since then, grassroots enthusiasm for the campaign has evolved into a pitched battle. The U.S. House recently voted in favor of raising federal wage minimum to $15, while the Senate refuses to consider the legislation so far.

While some argue that $15 per hour still does not provide a living wage, it’s an improvement for all workers regardless of pay disparities among various sectors.

Average wages are […]

Balancing Thailand’s healthcare resources: ageing, declining population, and medical tourism

Balancing Thailand's healthcare resources: ageing, declining population, and medical tourism

It’s been known for decades that Thailand is the home to the world’s most capable doctors and healthcare staff who can offer the best services, unlikely to be found anywhere else. Many famous Thai doctors have received their medical training in Western countries at renowned medical schools and institutions. They have accumulated their knowledge and experience along with the most advanced technology and techniques in healthcare. Coming back home from overseas studies, they have been able to gain more experience and reputation in their practice as specialists in many fields. There is still a lot of room to grow […]

Will Automation Decimate Rural Areas?

Will Automation Decimate Rural Areas?

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A McKinsey report released last week finds rural areas will be the most negatively affected by the next wave of automation, but right- and left-leaning experts on technology and labor economics disagree, calling the report “speculative.”

According to McKinsey’s analysis, automation will hit rural areas hardest through shrinking wages and fewer job opportunities, partly because rural communities have lagged in economic development and growth compared to urban areas since WWII. Automation may displace nearly 40 percent of U.S. jobs by 2030 according to the report, and of the 512 counties that will see the most displacement (25 percent), 429 are […]

The Next Wave of Innovation Will Come From America’s Forgotten Communities

The Next Wave of Innovation Will Come From America's Forgotten Communities

Photo by Clément Falize on Unsplash In a New York Time’s article titled Tech Is Splitting the U.S. Work Force in Two , written by Eduardo Porter in February of this year, it was argued that the technology sector is breaking our economy in ways that are destabilizing our society, at large. In his piece, Porter argued that while the technology sector has promised a future where we’ll be capable of doing meaningful work we care about while being paid livable wages, we’re really just getting lulled into a world where robots do all the work and a small […]

The Robot Apocalypse Has Been Postponed

The Robot Apocalypse Has Been Postponed

DeAgostini/Getty Images

Like many non-Democrats with an interest in both public policy and supernatural religion, I have two favorite 2020 Democratic candidates: Marianne Williamson and Andrew Yang.

Williamson is interesting because she helps reveal the spiritual shape of political ideas. Yang is interesting because he’s eager to think well outside the existing policy consensus and propose ideas that don’t fit naturally into either party’s current box.But just as I don’t actually share Williamson’s specific theological perspective, I have a core disagreement with Yang: His biggest policy proposal, a guaranteed basic income for every American, is a response to a disruption that […]

Is Canada’s labour-intensive economic strategy working?

David Williams is vice-president of policy at the Business Council of British Columbia.

Jock Finlayson is the council’s executive vice-president and chief policy officer.

Economic growth in Canada is expected to slip to 1.3 per cent in 2019, according to the Bank of Canada’s latest monetary policy report. That it is positive at all owes to a surging population. Canada’s population typically increases by around 1 per cent each year. It is currently growing at 1.4 per cent, the fastest pace in a generation.When a rising population rather than innovation, business dynamism or higher productivity drives the growth […]