Thursday, October 5, 2017

Robots, Americans, and Work: More Concern than Optimism

Pew research: Americans not so optimistic about work, future, and robots


Studies show some optimism mixed with growing concern 


New Pew research results show that 72% of Americans are worried about robots, automation, and technology taking their jobs. The robot enthusiasm gap exists in feelings about artificial intelligence evaluating job candidates, driverless cars, and robot caregiving, as well.  

The studies showed that 56% would not ride in a driverless car, 59% would not use a robot caregiver, and 76% would not like apply for a job that uses algorithms to evaluate them. 

Another important finding from the research shows that 85% of Americans favor Government mandates that limit robots only to jobs that are dangerous or unhealthy. Also, 61% believe Government should offer some sort of basic income to support basic needs and 58% would like to see Government limit the number of jobs technology can take over, even if it could do the work cheaper and better.   


Young more likely to be negatively impacted 


When it comes to what is happening now, in relation to jobs lost due to automation, the Pew studies found that 6% of Americans say they have either lost their job or are now underemployed due to technology. 

The young, it appears, are most susceptible to job loss due to automation. Those with a college education expressed a more favorable view of technology enhancing their professions, while non-college grads had less positive feeling about increased automation and new technology in the workforce. Source

Impact A.I.'s quick thoughts  


Impact A.I. wonders if the 41% of Americans who think businesses are justified in replacing human workers with technology that performs better and cheaper are apart of the same
 39% who are opposed to some sort of basic income?

Which raises another question: How are businesses planning on creating demand for their products and services, if there are more and more people out of work and unable to buy things? Refer to this study Oxford study: A Model of Technological Unemployment

No comments:

Post a Comment

Hillary Clinton Russia Uranium Scandal Goes Nuclear

Tic, tic, tic…it was just a matter of time before this scandal blew up. On the election trail, then-candidate Trum...