Emerging technology is reshaping the world of work. Automation is revolutionizing business models, tools, tasks and delivery modes. Workers can already see the transformation happening, as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and other digital innovations are being used increasingly in the workplace. The likely effects of automation are mixed. On the one hand, some jobs are at risk of being fully or partially automated and/or replaced by robots and AI. On the other hand, these changes could increase efficiency and access to services. Employers and workers require the necessary digital and so
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Emerging technology is reshaping the world of work. Automation is revolutionizing business models, tools, tasks and delivery modes. Workers can already see the transformation happening, as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and other digital innovations are being used increasingly in the workplace. The likely effects of automation are mixed. On the one hand, some jobs are at risk of being fully or partially automated and/or replaced by robots and AI. On the other hand, these changes could increase efficiency and access to services. Employers and workers require the necessary digital and soft skills to take advantage of the new opportunities they are expected to face. However, almost half the population of the EU is considered as lacking basic digital skills and one-third of the European citizens reportedly have no or almost no digital skills at all. Approximately 40 per cent of employers are struggling to fill their job vacancies due largely to a lack of necessary skills, while 30 per cent of graduates are working in a job where the competences they acquired at university are not required. This skills gap could threaten the stability of the labour market as well as the ability of EU industry to innovate.
A number of academic studies already shed light on the potential changes in the labour force of the future. This article which presents the opinions of more than 15,000 workers across ten European countries, was designed to contribute to the overall debate by giving voice to the workers themselves and potentially bring them closer to policymakers. This paper provides insights on how the workers surveyed view the impact of new technologies on their work, how they perceive their own preparedness for automation and technological change, and which policy measures they expect from governments and others. Building on the analysis of workers' attitudes, the paper concludes with a number of suggestions for further consideration at policy level to address the skills gap and its challenges.
Excerpts from publication.
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