Business leaders need only look to retail giants that have already implemented
automation to see its effects in action. With the rise of self-checkout terminals now
present at many large retailers, these stores can reduce the number of workers or
redeploy them to other functions. Some retailers are even beginning to explore human-
less stores. Amazon, for example, recently established Amazon Go beta convenience
stores, in which shoppers access the store through the Amazon app and are
automatically charged moments after removing items from the shelves and placing them
in their baskets.
As more and more retailers and restaurants opt for digital interfaces over human
interaction, women will be the hardest hit. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 73.7
percent of all cashier positions are held by women.
But it isn't just the working class that will be hardest hit by automation. Another recent
WEF study shows that it's office and administrative job growth — not blue collar job
growth — that is declining fastest due to automation.
jobs lost vs jobs gained
73.7%
of all cashier
positions are held
by women
-4,759
office and administrative
+492
business and financial operations
+416
management
-1,609
manufacturing and production
+405
computer and mathematical
-497
construction and extraction
+303
sales and related
-109
legal
+66
education and training
-40
intallation and maintenance
+339
architecture and engineering
-151
arts, design, entertainment,
sports and media
source: World Economic Forum
