European Scientific Journal December 2018 edition Vol.14, No.36 ISSN: 1857 – 7881 (Print) e - ISSN 1857- 7431
This Time it Might be Different: Analysis of the Impact of Digitalization on the Labour Market
Saverio Lovergine, (PhD) National Institute for Public Policy Analysis (INAPP), Italy
Alberto Pellero, (MBA) Strategy and Marketing Manager at KUKA Roboter Italia SpA Doi: 10.19044/esj.2018.v14n36p68 URL:http://dx.doi.org/10.19044/esj.2018.v14n36p68
Abstract The acceleration of progress in the fields of robotics, artificial intelligence and new digital technologies are changing the economic "dogma" that technological development enhances wealth and life standard of a country. A recent literature on the possible consequences for employment deriving from the widespread use of such technologies, highlights that there are good reasons that this time, compared to previous industrial revolutions, may be different (Ford, 2015). This paper analyzes the future impact that the progress of robotics, AI and new digital technologies will have on the employment, tasks and skills of workers of industrialized countries. Keywords: Robotics, new technologies, routine and non-routine tasks Introduction The fear that new technologies can destroy jobs is as old as capitalism. In recent decades, however, some "warnings" have raised serious doubts about the symbiotic relationship between productivity gains and wages, income inequality and the distribution of wealth, the widespread paralysis of social mobility, the growth of long-term unemployment, etc. In fact, recent progress in the field of robotics, AI and new digital technologies could shift the terms of comparative advantage between man and machine, and impact on employment, and on the replacement of some work by the machines, affecting both routine, non-routine, manual and cognitive tasks. Technological progress is driving us at great speed towards a new organization of the economy, society and labour market. Purpose and Objective of the Study The main purpose of this study was to determine the job losses with the advent of innovation and technological progress in this industrial 68