Automation Across the Nation: Understanding the potential impacts of technological trends across Canada

Abstract

The advent and rapid adoption of new technologies, such as machine learning and advanced robotics, have resurfaced concerns over technology eliminating jobs. Many now worry that more jobs are at risk than ever before. However, this debate all too often ignores the complexity of technology’s relationship to labour. Technological advancements throughout Canada’s history have helped to drive innovation and raise productivity, improve wealth and increase consumption, and give rise to entirely new industries and economic opportunities. As a result, in the long run technology has often helped to produce more jobs than it destroyed.