Digital automation and the future of work
This report examines the implications of digital automation on work, reviewing literature and historical debates on technological change. It explores the potential for both job displacement and transformation, and suggests policy options to leverage technology for positive social and economic outcomes.
(Generated with the help of GPT-4)
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Report location: | source |
| Language: | English |
| Publisher: | Panel for the Future of Science and Technology |
| Publication date: | January 29, 2021 |
| Authors: | David Spencer, Mark Stuart, Matt Cole, Simon Joyce, Xanthe Whittaker |
| Geographic focus: | European Union |
| Page count: | 82 |
Methods
The research method combined systematic review techniques with traditional literature review strategies to compile high-quality research on AI, automation, employment, skills, tasks, and occupations. It involved developing a search protocol, running searches on multiple databases, applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, and filtering results through title-abstract and full-text screening. The mixed-method approach ensured comprehensive coverage and minimized bias, providing a framework for analyzing digital automation and developing policy options.
(Generated with the help of GPT-4)
Key Insights
Digital automation is rapidly advancing, with artificial intelligence (AI) potentially reducing work volume and transforming job quality. This report analyzes the nature, scope, and effects of digital automation, situates current debates in historical context, and reviews evidence supporting predictions of work's future demise. It acknowledges technology's multifaceted impact on employment levels and job content, recognizing that while technology can create jobs, it can also shift the qualitative experience of work. The report discusses digital technologies associated with the Second Machine Age, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and Industry 4.0, highlighting AI and advanced robotics as key features. It examines the evidence for technological breakthroughs and their societal implications, noting both opportunities and risks. The report suggests policy options to exploit digital technologies' potential, emphasizing the need for reform to avoid deterministic outcomes and to ensure a digital future where the majority thrive within and beyond work.
(Generated with the help of GPT-4)
Additional Viewpoints
Categories: 2021 publication year | English publication language | artificial intelligence | automation | digital | digital technologies | employment | european union geographic scope | industry 4.0 | job quality | policy options | skills | technological change | work | work transformation