Automation's Impact on Employment
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What is one perspective on the impact of automation on the legal industry?

  • Overall employment in the legal industry has decreased.
  • Automation in the legal industry has resulted in more jobs for legal-support workers. (correct)
  • All paralegals will lose their jobs due to software.
  • Automation has not changed the overall employment of paralegals and lawyers.

    • What common misconception about automation does Bessen address?

  • Automation requires higher education levels for all workers.
  • Automation improves efficiency but reduces job satisfaction.
  • Automation leads to massive unemployment. (correct)
  • Automation only affects blue-collar workers.

    • According to Bessen, why is there a demand for policy changes related to automation?

  • To decrease the number of professional workers.
  • To support only blue-collar workers losing jobs.
  • To limit the use of technology in the workplace.
  • To redistribute wealth due to technological unemployment. (correct)

    • Which statement best reflects the relationship between ATM automation and job growth in related occupations?

    <p>The introduction of ATMs did not negatively affect job growth in related fields.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one reported effect of increased computer use on job growth between 1980 and 2018?

    <p>Jobs requiring above-median computer use showed a positive correlation with growth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term refers to workers in professions that do not require manual labor?

    <p>White-Collar</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact has automation had on professionals outside of blue-collar jobs?

    <p>Many professional workers have adapted and learned new skills.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one argument made by praise for automation during the Great Recession?

    <p>Some claim it hindered the recovery process.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary concern related to technological unemployment?

    <p>Wealth redistribution policies need to be enacted.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of the jobs requiring below-median computer use from 1980 to 2018?

    <p>They showed a negative correlation with job growth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does automation primarily refer to?

    <p>The automatic operation of equipment or systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the claim regarding the impact of automation on employment?

    <p>Automation leads to increased employment opportunities in the long run.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How has the legal industry been affected by automation according to the evidence provided?

    <p>The use of computers has increased efficiency and created more jobs in the legal field.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What trend has been observed in occupations that rely heavily on computers since the 1980s?

    <p>They have experienced faster job growth than occupations that do not use computers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is significant about the job growth for paralegals and lawyers since 2000?

    <p>It has surpassed growth in the overall labor force.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the document suggest about the relationship between automation and job displacement?

    <p>Automation can lead to both displacement and the creation of new roles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What has been proposed as essential for workers in relation to automation?

    <p>Learning to use new computer tools to adapt.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of automation is highlighted as a paradox in the discussion?

    <p>It reduces costs while simultaneously increasing employment in certain fields.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about the legal discovery process is correct?

    <p>Computers have reduced costs and improved efficiency in legal discovery.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what way did automation impact job growth in the legal sector since 2000?

    <p>It resulted in the creation of more legal support jobs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important for workers to adapt to automation according to the document?

    <p>To align with emerging job roles and market demands effectively.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does computer automation affect employment overall?

    <p>The overall impact on employment is often negligible.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential future concern regarding computer automation?

    <p>Advancements in AI might significantly alter employment dynamics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one way that automation can lead to increased employment?

    <p>By lowering prices and attracting more customers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following roles has been reduced due to automation?

    <p>Telephone operators</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of automation's impact on employment tend to balance each other out?

    <p>Jobs lost in specific professions versus new roles created.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did ATMs affect employment in banks?

    <p>They reduced the need for bank branches but may have increased demand elsewhere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the introduction of automation potentially lead to in the legal field?

    <p>Greater efficiency and lower costs, leading to job growth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which traditional role has been taken over by graphic designers due to automation?

    <p>Typographers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant observation made during the Industrial Revolution related to automation?

    <p>There were shifts in employment rather than outright job elimination.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary concern related to the impact of automation on jobs?

    <p>Workers needing to adapt to new skill demands</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to McKinsey & Company, what percentage of current jobs are at risk of complete automation in the near term?

    <p>5%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How has the role of bank tellers evolved due to automation?

    <p>They have taken on roles as marketing specialists.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author predict regarding the future of artificial intelligence-driven software?

    <p>It will perform advanced tasks previously done by humans.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the net effect of automation on unemployment according to research?

    <p>It has a negligible net effect on unemployment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What must workers do to keep pace with the changing nature of work due to automation?

    <p>Develop new skills.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What area does automation primarily impact according to the research?

    <p>Low-skill, low-paying jobs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is considered essential for addressing the challenges posed by automation?

    <p>Creating work-study training and collaborating with employers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do community colleges play in relation to automation?

    <p>They help in certifying skills and training people for new jobs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What approach is suggested to effectively manage the impacts of automation?

    <p>Developing policies that prioritize training and skills improvement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What misconception might workers have about the effects of automation?

    <p>All low-skill jobs will disappear without alternatives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Automation's Impact

    • Automation impacts both blue-collar and professional workers.
    • Some believe automation is a contributing factor to the slow economic recovery from the Great Recession and a decline in the middle class.
    • There is concern that automation is leading to unemployment, and thus policies to redistribute wealth are needed.
    • Fears of job loss due to automation may be unfounded, as workers can adapt and learn new skills.

    Case Studies

    • The legal industry has been impacted by automation, with software doing tasks previously done by lawyers.
    • Despite automation, employment of paralegals and lawyers remains strong, and the legal support workforce has grown.
    • The financial industry has experienced increased automation, with ATMs initially raising concerns.
    • Despite automation, workers in finance-related occupations have increased.
    • Growth in computer usage is correlated with job growth.

    Automation and Employment

    • Automation, while potentially displacing workers in some occupations, can lead to increased employment opportunities in the long run, especially with adaptation to new computer tools.
    • This claim is supported by the legal profession, which has experienced significant job growth despite increased automation, notably in legal discovery.
    • The legal industry has seen job growth in paralegals and lawyers exceeding the overall labor force growth since 2000.
    • Over 50,000 jobs were added in paralegal and legal support roles since 2000, and the number of lawyers increased by more than a quarter of a million.
    • Occupations with high reliance on computers have experienced considerably faster growth than other job sectors since the 1980s.
    • The paradox arises because automation often raises concerns about job loss, but the text argues that it can drive employment growth in specific industries like the law with proper adaptation and skill development.
    • The legal industry is presented as a case study of computer-assisted legal discovery (e-discovery), demonstrating how automation can increase efficiency and create new roles.

    Automation and Employment

    • Computer automation can reduce employment in some roles (e.g., telephone operators) but create new ones (e.g., receptionists).
    • Automation can lead to lower prices, attracting more customers and increasing demand, creating new jobs in related areas (e.g., legal firms).
    • The net impact of computer automation on employment is often negligible.
    • Future advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) might significantly alter the picture as AI becomes more capable.

    Examples of Automation Impact

    • ATMs reduced bank branch needs but may have increased demand in other areas, expanding bank reach.
    • Automation in legal documents increased research and created new jobs in legal fields.
    • Graphic design automation replaced typographers with graphic designers.

    Conclusion

    • The text highlights that automation is a complex process that can impact jobs across fields.
    • The overall effect on employment is not straightforward and may depend on various factors, including related technological expansions.
    • The Industrial Revolution and the introduction of computer systems are examples of how technology can impact employment in complex ways.

    Automation and the Job Market

    • Automation can both create and eliminate jobs
    • Research suggests automation has a negligible impact on overall unemployment
    • Future generations of AI-powered software are predicted to have a more significant impact on the job market
    • A McKinsey & Company study suggests that only 5% of current jobs are at risk of complete automation in the near future
    • Automation is more likely to redefine existing jobs rather than eliminate them entirely
    • Workers will need to acquire new skills to adapt to the evolving job market
    • The role of bank tellers has evolved to include marketing financial products, demonstrating how jobs are redefined by automation
    • The main challenge posed by automation is not job elimination, but the need for workers to adapt to new skill demands

    Automation and its Impacts

    • Automation's impact on the job market is significant and transformative.
    • Automation is replacing jobs, especially low-skill and low-paying ones.
    • Workers with limited skills are likely to be most impacted by automation.
    • The author emphasizes the need for collaborative solutions to address the challenges of automation, including:
      • Working with local employers
      • Creating work-study training programs
      • Certifying skills based on experience
      • Raising awareness of the issue

    Addressing the Challenges of Automation

    • Community colleges and trade groups are vital for training workers in skills needed for emerging jobs.
    • Focus on practical solutions and training rather than creating unnecessary panic.
    • Policies should focus on training, collaboration, and skills development to effectively navigate the future of work.

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    Description

    Explore the effects of automation on both blue-collar and professional sectors in this quiz. Discover how automation has influenced job roles in industries like legal and finance, and whether fears of job loss are justified. Dive into case studies that highlight the relationship between automation and employment growth.

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