if we want to mitigate the impact of automation on individuals and society, "We must proactively and thoughtfully reinvent the future of work," writes L. Rafael Reif, president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Experts disagree on which groups and regions will lose jobs to automation and how fast the impacts will spread, Reif writes in an article in the Boston Globe Opinion section. "To build sound, long-term policy on something this important, we cannot rely on anecdotes. Government, foundation, and corporate leaders need to invest in better data now."
"Automation will transform our work, our lives, our society," he continues. "Whether the outcome is inclusive or exclusive, fair or laissez-faire, is up to us.
"Getting this right is among the most important and inspiring challenges of our time — and it should be a priority for everyone who hopes to enjoy the benefits of a society that’s healthy and stable, because it offers opportunity for all."
