There are 1.7 million truckers in America, and another 1.7 million drivers of taxis, buses and delivery vehicles. This middle-class career that does not require a college degree is at risk.
Robots’ march into vehicles, factories, stores, and offices could also profoundly deepen inequality. Research has shown that artificial intelligence helps erase jobs that require basic skills and creates more roles for highly educated people.
“Automation tends to replace low-wage jobs with high-wage jobs,” said James Bessen, a lecturer at the Boston University School of Law who researches the effect of innovation on labor. “The people whose skills become obsolete are low-wage workers, and to the extent that it’s difficult for them to acquire new skills, it affects inequality” (Source: LA Times). Openings for manufacturing jobs have averaged 353,000 / month since 2016, the highest level in 15 years. Companies cannot find skilled workers to handle technology-focused manufacturing roles (Source: WSJ.)
How are robots, automation and artificial intelligence impacting your workforce?
