Devise back up minimum income schemes for those losing jobs due to automation: ASSOCHAM

New Delhi, Apr 30: With the Indian IT and other industries facing some of the daunting challenges from protectionism in the US and Artificial Intelligence (AI), an ASSOCHAM-PwC study has made out a strong case for government –industry schemes which ensure a minimum income to those displaced , along with basic health facilities for the families in stress.
It said there are concerns in a number of industries related to loss of jobs, arising out AI and robotics and the solution lies in facing the issue upfront and skilling up the country’s human resource.
“In light of technology advances, certain sectors are expected to experience shrinkage of employment demand as robotic systems and algorithms take up several tasks.
It can be expected that IT, manufacturing, agriculture, forestry etc will experience such a demand shift,” the study noted.
Quoting Oxford University researchers Carl Frety and Michael Osborne, based on 702 occupational groupings, workers in tele-marketing, hand sewers, mathematical technicians, insurance underwriters, watch repairers, cargo agents, tax preparers have a very high probability of being replaced by automation.