A.I. Doesn't Have to Be the Death Knell for U.S. Jobs
*By Britt Terrell*
The rise of artificial intelligence and new automation will inevitably lead to the loss of some jobs across different industries, but it may also create entirely new careers for American workers.
What jobs disappear, and how fast they'll be replaced, may depend on how traditional industries and new technology companies cooperate, and how the government can help foster those partnerships, said Politico's technology reporter, Steven Overly.
“When the internet was created, I think a lot of folks also speculated it would replace a number of jobs and it has in some ways, but it has also created new jobs," Overly said Thursday in an interview with Cheddar. "It’s opened up new industries and so there are a lot of folks who are optimistic that with A.I., it will follow a similar path."
Many of the most optimistic folks from Google, Amazon, Facebook, and other tech firms discussed how A.I. technology may affect American workers at a White House summit Thursday.
Some blue-collar workers, such as truck drivers, are expected to be replaced by autonomous vehicles. The administration and representatives from the tech industry are considering new programs to train American workers on how to [use A.I. technology](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/05/08/white-house-will-host-amazon-facebook-ford-and-other-major-companies-for-summit-on-ai/) in new ways for new jobs.
"Certainly the administration has conveyed that they now view artificial intelligence as a national priority," said Overly. "And certainly there are many in the industry who say if the U.S. doesn’t take a stronger stance on this, we’re going to fall behind China, India and the E.U.”
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/white-house-hosts-a-i-summit).
Alex Garden, Chairman and CEO at Zume, joins Cheddar Innovates to discuss how individuals can take steps to end their reliance on plastic, and Zume's partnership with global robotics company ABB to put sustainability at the forefront.
Tesla has scrubbed any mention of its Cybertruck being released in 2022 from its website after the company delayed production last year. The EV maker is slated to begin manufacturing the electric truck at its Austin, Texas, facility, to open early this year.
Technology-driven sustainable waste management platform, RoadRunner Recycling, recently raised a $70 million Series D round from BeyondNetZero, the climate investing venture of General Atlantic. RoadRunner says it creates and manages end-to-end waste and recycling solutions for businesses of all sizes and that its proprietary technology can boost cost savings and improve recycling rates for companies, which in turn drives sustainability for the waste industry and our world. RoadRunner Recycling founder and CEO Graham Rihn joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Tech giant Microsoft is rolling out a platform designed specifically to help retailers manage their logistics on the cloud, amid some very trying times. Shelley Bransten, Microsoft CVP for global retail and consumer goods, joined Cheddar to explain how the cloud-based solution is meant to support retailers, workers, and the supply chain. "It's never been more important with all the challenges that we're seeing with the global supply chain that demand and supply come together," Bransten said. "And we use AI technology to help better predict that old adage of getting the right product to the right place to the customer at the right time."
Apple TV+ is in serious talks for the rights to stream MLB games next season, the first foray into sports content for the platform, according to the New York Post. Lee Berke, president and CEO of LHB Sports, sat down with Cheddar to discuss how such a deal might impact the tech giant and the sports content industry. "Quite often with new media platforms one of the quickest ways to create and implement a programming strategy — and actually one of the most expensive ways — is to offer up sports content," Berke noted. "So, with this package available, it puts Apple literally in the game and gives them an opportunity to demonstrate their skills in offering up a major league sport."
