Policies in the Age of Automation: Solutions for a Changing Economy
There are many projections about the future of work—particularly when it comes to the potential impact that automation could have on work. Articles and studies project that millions of workers could lose their jobs to robots or software, while experts offer perspectives on ways workers can “robot-proof” themselves for a long career. There are reasons to believe that automation may bring greater disruption, but it also holds the potential to create new jobs and improve the quality of work.
To prepare the American workforce for the jobs of the future and overcome the challenge of technological disruption, the U.S. will need modern policies that reflect a changing 21st century economy. Many challenges that the future presents can be met by building on existing systems today. This event will explore how our existing programs—like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Trade Adjustment Assistance, Unemployment Insurance, and the Pell Grant program—can be modernized to better address the needs of today and tomorrow’s workers as they grapple with an increasingly automated economy.
At this briefing, you’ll hear about how automation impacts the labor market and ideas to update policies to meet the needs of a 21st century economy.
Registration for this event is now closed.
Agenda:
Welcome & Opening Remarks
- Alastair Fitzpayne, Executive Director, Aspen Institute Future of Work Initiative
- David Ohrenstein, Director of Government Affairs and Senior Public Policy Counsel, Autodesk
A Policymaker Perspective
- Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Chair, New Democrat Coalition
The Case for Action
- Alastair Fitzpayne, Executive Director, Aspen Institute Future of Work Initiative
Modernizing Policy for a Changing Economy
- Chandra Brown, Chief Executive Officer, MxD
- Molly Kinder, David Rubenstein Fellow, Brookings Institution & New America nonresident Senior Fellow
- Spencer Overton, President, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
- Andrew Stettner, Senior Fellow, The Century Foundation
- Andy Van Kleunen, Chief Executive Officer, National Skills Coalition
- Moderated by Ethan Pollack, Associate Director of Research & Policy, Aspen Institute Future of Work Initiative
The Future of Work Initiative is grateful to the Autodesk Foundation for sponsoring the event.