ABSTRACT
Artificial intelligence and robots have begun to replace humans in the workplace at an accelerated rate. Chapter 10 recognizes that there are benefits of this change, for example, by removing industrial workers and some white collar workers from high hazard jobs, creating safer driving vehicles, improving the electrical grid and improving forecasting of hazardous environmental events. On the other hand, job losses are expected to far exceed those lost during de-industrialization and off-shoring of manufacturing. As artificial intelligence and continuous monitoring systems become more prevalent, workers report increased stress, sometimes leading to stress and ergonomic symptoms from sitting in a fixed position. Stressed by fear of losing their jobs, or forced to work faster than they feel they can, some workers engage in violent behavior toward themselves and violent behavior, harassment and bullying toward their colleagues. U.S. government policies do not appear to be appropriately anticipating these events, nor have reached a point where an alternative to what we now call work is recognized and replaced by limited stipends for those who lose their jobs or cannot find one, and engage in volunteer activities. Also, the U.S. is not keeping pace with other countries that have job training programs.
