The UK economy finds itself at a critical juncture, with two years having passed since the onset of the Covid pandemic. Notably, it is the only developed nation where people continue to withdraw from the labour market even beyond the pandemic. Economic inactivity rates have surged, and the hospitality, health, and technology sectors face challenges in filling job vacancies. Concurrently, the rise of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) technology poses concerns of fear and uncertainty among workers. The country is grappling with a new kind of work polarization, characterized by disparities between good-quality and poor-quality jobs.
The focus on reducing unemployment figures as a measure of economic success is no longer sufficient, as evidence suggests that simply increasing professional job opportunities in a region does not automatically alleviate mundane, low-quality work.
However, there is potential to transform work through automation. Tools like ChatGPT can streamline repetitive tasks, allowing workers to concentrate on more complex and creative endeavours. For example, AI systems in education can handle data analysis, giving teachers more time to engage with students directly.
While further research is needed to understand the full impact of automation on work and people, it is clear that successful automation requires substantial investment in human capabilities alongside hardware and software. In other words, investment in people must be a primary focus, emphasizing the notion of being invested in and supporting human agency.
To forge an ambitious and optimistic future for work, a proactive and comprehensive regulatory framework must be developed. This framework should encompass responsible design, usage, and governance of advanced workplace technologies. It should also include preemptive evaluations of how these tools may impact access to work, working conditions, and job quality.
By taking a forward-looking and responsible approach to the advancement of workplace technologies, the UK can navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by automation, paving the way for a future with more meaningful, fulfilling, and equitable work experiences.
