Macro Update: The Expanding Frontiers of Automation
Jan 14, 2025
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Karen Harris, managing director of Bain's Macro Trends Group, shines a light on the surprising impact of automation across various sectors. She discusses how automation is transforming roles from strawberry-picking to brick-laying, while addressing the demographic challenges faced by aging workforces. Innovations in AI and robotics are seen as crucial in combating talent shortages, with both new job opportunities and potential displacements emerging. Harris maintains an optimistic outlook on the resilience of the economy, despite these rapid changes.
The declining working-age population in OECD countries necessitates a strategic embrace of automation across various sectors to mitigate labor shortages.
Despite fears of job loss due to technology, automation is expected to reshape roles and create new opportunities that enhance productivity and require retraining.
Deep dives
The Impact of Aging Workforces on Automation
The aging of global workforces presents both challenges and opportunities, particularly concerning the need for automation. Many OECD countries are experiencing a decline in their working-age population, which is likely to affect labor force dynamics significantly in the coming years. While automation is expected to grow rapidly, areas previously thought to be immune, such as construction, are now seeing advancements like semi-autonomous robots to assist workers. The interplay of demographics and automation is crucial as businesses must consider how to adapt to a shrinking labor pool while leveraging technological advancements.
Rapid Investments in Automation Across Sectors
Investments in automation are surging in various sectors, driven by technological advancements and increasing labor costs. For instance, robots designed for tasks like burger flipping and crop harvesting are changing traditional roles once thought unautomatable. The speed at which countries, particularly China, are establishing fully automated manufacturing facilities outpaces current efforts in Europe and the U.S. This rapid deployment highlights the competitive pressures from nations that efficiently leverage automation, compelling businesses worldwide to reassess their capacity for adopting these technologies.
Job Creation Amidst Technological Disruption
Despite historical concerns about technology displacing jobs, new opportunities are emerging, particularly in sectors like the care economy and skilled trades. The potential for enhanced productivity through automation could lead to new types of jobs that better align with changing economic landscapes. While some workers may experience displacement, the evolution of industries like construction suggests that automation will reshape job roles rather than solely eliminate them. The future job market will require a focus on retraining and adaptability, emphasizing the need for workers to embrace new technologies rather than resist them.