Coming to an office near you: The effect of today’s
technology on tomorrow’s jobs will be immense—and no country is ready for it
This article is about the effect of the emerging new
technologies on employment, which is directly related to what we are discussing
in class. The article states that “One recent study by academics at Oxford
University suggests that 47% of today’s jobs could be automated in the next two
decades.” This is related to Professor Skosples' example that in the future we
will be ordering McDonalds meals from robots. The impact of new technology on
the labor force will hit fast in the short run, however technological
innovation will also create new jobs in the long run that go along with the
changes in demand and supply of goods and services due to new technologies.
The problem with emerging technologies is timing. It takes
years for new industries to grow, as we saw in industrial revolution. Unskilled
workers are increasingly more at risk while skilled and specialized workers
jobs are least vulnerable to the impact of new technologies. Digital startup
companies, such as Amazon and Facebook, will positively affect employment in
the long run by innovating and create new goods and services to employ millions,
although the effects of these companies aren’t as positive now in the short run.
Although unpopular in the short run, economies need to keep current to keep up
with competition. Shunning new technologies would leave an economy left behind
and lower economic growth in the long run.
I agree with the article’s stance that economies need to
enhance their educational systems to create more skilled workers to fill new
jobs that will arise due to new technologies, however I do not agree that it is
entirely up to the government to implement this. Benefits of technological
progress are unevenly distributed, which leads to inequality, but I question
the government’s role in fixing this problem. I agree that an emphasis on
critical thinking needs to be introduced in educational systems, however I
think that it is important that rote-learning needs to remain a part of curriculums
because these are fundamental skills that will enhance critical thinking.
Incorporating technology into education will also be important to create
skilled workers who know how to use their fundamental skills in the real world
of technology. I also agree that developing adult continuous education is
important. For example, CPA’s and Architects must take continuing education
courses each year to renew their licenses in order to make sure their credentials
are current to today’s world.
Due to the advance in technology, there will be a decrease in the demand for unskilled laborers as most of the work will be automated. Then I think, the government should give huge scholarships to these unskilled laborers so that they can go to college. This opportunity of education will make everyone participate in the labor market. The supply of low skilled laborers will reduce. Training should also be given on basic math, reading skills and on work ethics as these too are determinants for hiring.
ReplyDeleteI believe the fundamental challenge to be solved is to figure out how we can reinvent and redesign our economic institutions to keep up with technology advancement replacing jobs and the devaluing of technological innovation. Machines replacing people is nothing new in the US. However, the rate of replacement is growing rapidly and in result those who are the owner gain more wealth, but for those who are dependent on jobs as their income have decline over the years.
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ReplyDeleteYes technology is growing, and yes people lose jobs because of that. I do not believe that the innovation of technology is bad or should be slowed, but i also do not believe that it is governments job to make reforms so more people do not lose jobs due to innovation. From the beginning there has always been creative destruction, where and advancement in technology destroys something else. Such as copper vs fiber optics.Its what happens when technology grows. Technology is always growing and making the world change. Unskilled workers are at risk of losing their jobs and yes MacDonald's workers could lose their jobs in the future to robots. Just giving more incentive to those people to become "skilled Workers" is not going to fix everything. The government can't fix everything. The government should not be expected to fix everything. People being able to go to college is somewhat due to money but its not a barring factor. There are already many opportunities for anyone to get a higher education, but its the person who has to want it. People have to make that decision to be a skilled worker.
ReplyDeleteI believe we are definitely starting to transition into this now; where, even skilled workers are being replaced by machines. The pressure to go to college is becoming stronger and stronger each year. There are already so many opportunities available, to the point where an undergraduate degree is not enough. There are also more options in high school to develop specialized skills. These kinds of options, I believe, should be continued. But, as mentioned by Marcus, the government cannot fix everything. Individual firms can be the ones to develop annual training courses and certification renewals if needed.
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