Advancements in computers, digital technologies, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and internet-enabled platforms have revolutionized and automated the labour market. Such technologies have fundamentally altered the nature and organization of work—with serious material implications for workers and their families. Yet, these technological changes do not unilaterally act upon workers, employers, or societies-at-large. The impacts on workers, employers, customers, and countries are disproportionately spread, with some benefiting from the tech revolutions while those who are vulnerable are further left behind.
While technological changes in the labour market have a momentum of its own, all of us—as workers, employers, institutions, customers, researchers, and policy-makers—can shape and alter which technological advances take hold and which do not. In this panel, expert researchers and practitioners gather to engage in an in-depth discussion of the major themes that cut across the realm of labor, technologies, education and training, and governance. Key questions that the panel will discuss include: How can we ensure that technologies are deployed in the workplace so that those who benefit continue to do so while those who are hurt/automated can be better protected?
Can this objective be achieved by adjusting the rate/type of technologies adopted in the labor market, or must we address these via public policy efforts (i.e., better redistribution, education, and training programs)? What are the necessary policy and program efforts to address the issues of technologies and the future of work?