German newsletter articles in 2018 fanned fear in many employees with headlines like „Siri, machst du uns bald alle arbeitslos?“ (Kramer, 2018) or „Wird jeder Zehnte arbeitslos?“ (Rudzio, 2018). The worry over joblessness due to industrialisation is not a new occurrence. Although vast technical and industrial development should be pursued recklessly in order to make bigger profits that should increase wealth for all, there have been movements against this development throughout history. Reasons for these dissenting voices can be for example: social, ecological or even economic to maintain the status quo. The destruction of mechanical looms from 1811 by Ned Ludd and his followers show, how people have been aware of the effects of technology on employment.
Even though there are a plenty of reasons to work against an industrial revolution, e.g. pollution or change of the environment, a lot of them are rooted in a fear of unemployment. It has been shown, that unemployment leads to an increase of criminality, decreases mental and physical health and has a negative impact on individual happiness. If the assumption that about 47 percent of total US employment is at risk, is correct, employments and therefore society is facing a massive disruption.
This assignment is focused on social and macroeconomic outcomes from the latest technological trend, and highly discussed topic in media: Artificial Intelligence based Automation. Following the introduction it is primarily discussed, which kinds of jobs are potentially threatened by automation. Second, this assignment illustrate the economic problems arising with automation. The third part is a brief summarisation of approaches on how to cope with the problems caused by automation in the near future.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Which jobs are automatable and why?
- 3. Possible economic problems of automation
- 4. Solution approaches to the arising problems of automation
- 5. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the impact of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven automation on the future of labor. It aims to analyze which jobs are most susceptible to automation and the potential economic consequences. The paper also explores potential solutions to mitigate the negative effects of automation on employment.
- Automatable jobs and the reasons behind their susceptibility.
- Economic consequences of widespread automation.
- Potential solutions to address job displacement due to automation.
- The role of AI and its subtypes (like Machine Learning) in automating tasks.
- Historical context of technological unemployment and societal reactions.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by highlighting the growing public concern regarding job displacement due to AI-driven automation, referencing media headlines and historical precedents. It establishes the context of technological advancements versus societal anxieties about unemployment and its associated negative consequences, such as increased criminality, decreased health, and reduced happiness. The chapter frames the paper's focus on the social and macroeconomic impacts of AI-based automation, outlining the structure of the subsequent analysis.
2. Which jobs are automatable and why?: This chapter delves into the characteristics of jobs susceptible to automation. It draws on existing research, notably from Autor, Levy, and Murnane (2003) and Goos, Manning, and Salomons (2009), to define "routine tasks"—those involving repetitive physical or cognitive processes easily performed by computers following programmed rules. The chapter explains how advancements in machine learning and AI, particularly the availability of "big data," are enabling the automation of previously non-routine tasks, highlighting the advantages of AI in terms of data processing and unbiased decision-making. Examples from various sectors, including healthcare, legal services, finance, and manufacturing, illustrate the increasing scope of automation, emphasizing that even jobs requiring high levels of education are not immune.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, job displacement, economic consequences, machine learning, routine tasks, non-routine tasks, unemployment, technological unemployment, societal impact, solutions, mitigation strategies.
FAQ: A Comprehensive Language Preview on AI-Driven Automation and its Economic Impact
What topics are covered in this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of AI-driven automation, focusing on its impact on the labor market and the economy. It includes an introduction, analysis of automatable jobs, discussion of potential economic problems caused by automation, exploration of solution approaches, and a conclusion. The document also details its objectives and key themes, summarizes each chapter, and provides keywords for easier searching and understanding.
Which jobs are most susceptible to automation, and why?
The document analyzes which jobs are most at risk of automation, focusing on jobs involving "routine tasks"—repetitive physical or cognitive processes easily performed by computers. It explains how advancements in machine learning and AI, particularly the availability of big data, are expanding the scope of automation beyond routine tasks. Examples across various sectors illustrate that even jobs requiring high levels of education are not immune.
What are the potential economic problems of automation?
The document examines the potential economic consequences of widespread automation, including job displacement and its resulting social and macroeconomic impacts. It touches upon the historical context of technological unemployment and societal reactions, referencing potential consequences like increased criminality, decreased health, and reduced happiness.
What solutions are proposed to mitigate the negative effects of automation?
The document explores potential solutions to address the negative effects of automation on employment. While specific solutions aren't detailed in the provided preview, the inclusion of this topic as a key theme and chapter summary suggests that the full document offers potential strategies for mitigation.
What is the role of AI and its subtypes in automation?
The document emphasizes the role of AI and its subtypes, such as machine learning, in enabling automation. It highlights the advantages of AI in data processing and unbiased decision-making, explaining how these capabilities contribute to the increasing automation of various tasks.
What is the historical context discussed in relation to technological unemployment?
The document references historical precedents of technological unemployment and societal anxieties related to job displacement due to technological advancements. This historical context serves to frame the current concerns around AI-driven automation and its potential impact.
What are the key themes of this document?
The key themes include: automatable jobs and their susceptibility; economic consequences of widespread automation; potential solutions to address job displacement; the role of AI and its subtypes in automation; and the historical context of technological unemployment and societal reactions.
What are the keywords associated with this document?
The keywords include: Artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, job displacement, economic consequences, machine learning, routine tasks, non-routine tasks, unemployment, technological unemployment, societal impact, solutions, mitigation strategies.
- Quote paper
- Patrick Schneider (Author), 2018, "They'll take our jobs". The future of labour in the light of automation due to artificial intelligence and robotics, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/438603
