NPR - Automation is already here. Robots helped build your car and pack your latest online shopping order. A chatbot might help you figure out your credit card balance. A computer program might scan and process your résumé when you apply for work.
What will work in America look like a decade from now? A team of economists at the McKinsey Global Institute set out to figure it out in a new report.
The research finds automation widening the gap between urban and rural areas and dramatically affecting people who didn't go to college or didn't finish high school. It also projects some occupations poised for massive growth or growing enough to offset displaced jobs.
Below are some of the key takeaways from McKinsey's forecast.
Most jobs will change; some will decline
"Intelligent machines are going to become more prevalent in every business. All of our jobs are going to change," said Susan Lund, co-author of the report. Almost 40% of U.S. jobs are in occupations that are likely to shrink — though not necessarily disappear — by 2030, the researchers found.
Employing almost 21 million Americans, office support is by far the most common U.S. occupation that's most at risk of losing jobs to digital services, according to McKinsey. Food service is another heavily affected category, as hotel, fast-food and other kitchens automate the work of cooks, dishwashers and others.
At the same time, "the economy is adding jobs that make use of new technologies," McKinsey economists wrote. Those jobs include software developers and information security specialists — who are constantly in short supply — but also solar panel installers and wind turbine technicians.
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1 comment:
If there isn't enough copper and minerals on the planet to give everyone an electric car, then how would replacing workers with robots work, for robots will be in direct competition for those same resources that electric cars use. This is the problem with robotics, sure spiffy machines can be built and made to do things, but is that the best use of resources?
I'd say sure if the robots, are made to replace humans to do hazardous work, like sort recyclables or mine garbage dumps for metals and other useful resources that were discarded in the past, like copper. Otherwise it's better to employ humans.
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