In what industries will robots replace human workers? How should workers and their families and communities handle this transition, especially if they are over the age of 50 or so?
With advances in technology, many jobs have and will continue to become obsolete. ATMs and online banking have already replaced bank tellers. Companies like Amazon and online shopping can quite possibly replace physical stores, which already use self checkout systems instead of cashiers. Netflix ad online streaming services have put stores like Blockbuster out of business and movie theaters are often empty nowadays. From factory workers, to clerks, to even teachers, technology is dominating industries where real people were once needed.
Although the demand for less skilled labor is decreasing, the demand for skilled digital labor is increasing. Graphic designers, engineers, and programmers are all becoming more necessary in the digital age. Although younger generations are drawn to tech, this labor shift puts older people at risk of unemployment. My advice would be to take classes on digital literacy and immerse yourself in technology as much as possible to become comfortable with computer programs and systems that are being widely used.
Digital Culture 