The Transformative Impacts of Robots and Automation

Recent technological developments have been pushing the envelope faster and further than was expected even a decade ago, making what was once thought of as a science fiction a reality. The robotic machines are here. Whether it is vacuuming our carpets or assisting in precise surgeries, robots are helping with and performing almost every task that we can imagine. This has led to a greater abundance of consumer products, and more productive and creative workers. However, as with the Industrial Revolution and previous revolutions, this new robotic revolution clearly is contributing to pressures arising within our changing labor force. One study finds that nearly half of U.S. jobs are at risk of being lost to automation in the next couple of decades. Other studies show that the impacts of automation will not be as great, or felt so soon. Robots are expected to hasten this trend as they fill in for humans in both blue- and white-collar jobs. Where workers used to assemble vehicles directly by hand, now they oversee teams of precise robots that can weld and assemble vehicles far more advanced than ever before. Automation's rapid progress has also raised challenges with certain government policies. How can we foster an environment where innovators thrive and grow? How can we foster a social safety net prepared for 21st century labor markets? Do some government policies make human workers prohibitively expensive for employers? How will current workers adapt? And is our education system preparing our youngest citizens for the future economy? Throughout history, concerns have been voiced that new technologies would make human labor obsolete. It has not happened. While there have been dramatic shifts in how people have earned their livings, the quantity of jobs has increased and the quality has improved.