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Back to To the Point

To the Point

The paradox of automation

Many American workers are panicked about automation, for good reason. Computers and robots are replacing more and more men and women. The upside is that technological change creates new jobs at the same time it takes old ones away -- but there's a kicker. The new jobs are very different.

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By Warren Olney • Dec 16, 2016 • 1 min read

Many American workers are panicked about automation, for good reason. Computers and robots are replacing more and more men and women. The upside is that technological change creates new jobs at the same time it takes old ones away -- but there's a kicker. The new jobs are very different. That means re-education, re-location and other adjustments that can sometimes be painful. It's also a fundamental challenge to Donald Trump, who promised to bring back the old manufacturing jobs for blue-collar workers. They aren't going to be there. When Donald Trump met the heads of Amazon, Apple and other titans of tech this week, he celebrated their contributions to the new economy. He embraced them and promised help from his administration.

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    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

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    Tena Rubio

    Independent Producer

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    Katie Cooper

    Producer, 'One year Later'

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    Gideon Brower

    Independent Producer

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    Mark Muro

    Brookings Institution

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    Nick Bilton

    Vanity Fair

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    James Bessen

    Boston University

    NewsNationalPolitics
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