The politics of automation: Learning to embrace disruption

Sept. 10, 2019

How automation can create a better future for the economy and American workers.

By Rick Lazio, senior vice president at AlliantGroup

Automation has been a prime topic in our nation’s political discourse in recent years. As the common doom-and-gloom narrative goes, the rise of automation and corresponding technologies such as AI, robotics, and the internet of things will spell the end of work as we know it, leading to the disruption of labor markets and the displacement of millions of workers.

There is some measure of truth in these predictions, with numerous studies highlighting specific jobs and skill sets that will be automated out of existence. According to a study from the McKinsey Global Institute, occupations that perform “physical activities in highly structured and predictable work environments” (i.e., clerical work, retail, physical labor, etc.) are the most susceptible to automation–and the disappearance of these jobs will have long-term economic consequences. MGI notes that these activities account for an estimated 51% of work taking place in the US economy–and almost $2.7 trillion in wages.

However, despite the narrative of inevitable job loss and eroding economic opportunity, there is a path forward for American workers. But it will require reframing the current debate on automation and providing our workforce with the skills needed to succeed in the emerging STEM economy.