The Future of Work

Accelerating technological innovation disrupts the job market and people’s routines.

At the turn of the 20th century, the United States underwent tremendous economic and technological change. Transitioning from an agrarian to an industrial economy created disruptions, and leaders worked for decades to prevent new business models and policies from prolonging social upheaval. At the start of the 21st century, America faces another massive transition: from an industrial to a digital economy. Facing a society polarized by inequality and poor governance, the country risks squandering opportunities to revise the social contract and redefine work.

Automation with robots threatens jobs in low-paying sectors such as retail, food service and truck driving. In just one year – 2015 to 2016 – robot sales doubled to 10 million units worldwide. Costs per unit dropped as robots became an affordable choice, especially given their efficiency and reliability. Increasing low-skilled workers’ minimum wage will drive the cost differential wider, putting many jobs at risk of full automation.

Some critics lament the slow maturation of the digital age. In...