Mind or machine? Opportunities and limits of automation

Abstract

Technological innovation in the world of work is not at all a new phenomenon, it is rather usual that technological development had an impact on the way as enterprises organize their work and production processes. Mechanical power allowed to replace human workforce for danger and unhealthy work procedures. The latest development in information and communication technology seem to open new potential, and the crucial question arises which kind of work can be replaced by technology, i.e. can machine replace mind? The World Economic Forum just recently published forecasts on the effects of digitalization for work and occupation. This chapter discusses general development in automation of work and reflects forecasts for the labor market.