This is part 2 of a two-part MIT News feature examining new job creation in the U.S. since 1940, based on new research from Ford Professor of Economics David Autor. Part 1 is available here.
From the destruction of machine looms by the Luddites to the rise of computer programmers and solar panel installers, the impact of technology on job creation and destruction has been evident. A new study led by MIT economist David Autor provides insights into the net balance of job creation and job loss due to technology, particularly since 1980.
Utilizing innovative research methods, the study analyzes the effects of machine automation and technological augmentation on employment in the U.S. The findings reveal that technology has replaced more jobs than it has generated, especially in the last four decades. This research, detailed in a newly published paper co-authored by Autor, breaks new ground in quantifying the impact of technology on both job loss and job creation.
The paper, titled “New Frontiers: The Origins and Content of New Work, 1940-2018,” published in the Quarterly Journal of Economics, sheds light on the evolution of new types of work in the U.S. since 1940. By examining census job categories and analyzing U.S. patents, the study unveils the relationship between technology and employment trends over the past century.
Automation and augmentation have played significant roles in shaping the U.S. job market. While automation has led to the decline of traditional roles such as elevator operators and typesetters, augmentation has created opportunities in fields like engineering and information technology. The study highlights the impact of technology on employment, revealing a shift towards automation in recent decades.
Despite the challenges posed by automation, the research emphasizes the emergence of new work opportunities and the importance of technological innovation in driving societal progress. The study also underscores the need for further research to understand the evolving relationship between technology and employment in the future.
The research was supported by various organizations, including The Carnegie Corporation, Google, and the MIT Work of the Future Task Force, among others.
