The Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics on Employment: Evidence from a survey on individuals

         
Author Name MORIKAWA Masayuki (Vice Chairman & Vice President, RIETI)
Creation Date/NO. February 2017 17-J-005
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Abstract

This paper, using original survey data of 10,000 individuals, analyzes the possible impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics on employment. The first interest of this study is to find out, from the viewpoint of workers, what types of worker characteristics are associated with a perception of riskiness of their jobs being replaced by the development of AI and robotics. The second interest is to see, from the viewpoint of consumers, what types of services are likely to be replaced by AI and robotics. The results suggest that malleable high skills acquired through higher education, particularly in science and engineering, are complementary with new technologies such as AI and robotics. At the same time, occupation specific skills acquired by attending professional schools or holding occupational licenses are perceived to be less likely to be replaced by AI and robotics. Analysis of consumers' view indicates that human-intensive services such as childcare, healthcare, and education are difficult to be substituted by robots.

The English version of this paper is 17-E-069.