Hundreds of thousands of workers face losing their jobs to robots ‘within TEN years’ unless politicians act now, says report
HUNDREDS of thousands of blue collar workers face the scrap heap in ten years unless politicians address the ‘march of the robots’ – a bombshell report claims.
Oxford Economics warn the growing use of AI could devastate manufacturing in regions such as Cumbria by 2030 and deepen the North-South divide.
The think tank warned 20 million manufacturing jobs could go worldwide.
It comes as a separate study warns the growing use of AI in the workplace will “embed inequality” as it replaces women and older workers from service roles on the high street and hospitality sectors.
The Commission on Workers and Technology – chaired by Labour’s Yvette Cooper – urges MPs, business leaders and trade union bosses to “prepare” Britain for the huge change.
She said nearly 80 per cent of workers already felt technology was impacting their current role. And the Commission report warned some employers were using technology in an “oppressive” way.
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It heard that giants such as Amazon is using wristbands and other devices that track staff – check whether they were scanning an item and even if they were going to the toilet.
Ms Cooper said: “New technology offers the opportunity for a brighter future for workers. It can free us from demanding physical tasks, and take over repetitive admin duties.
“But there is an urgent need for politicians, trade unions and business leaders to act now to ensure technological change benefits everyone rather than widening existing inequalities.”
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