Technological inequality – understanding the relation between recent technological innovations and social inequalities

ended

Recent technological innovations may fundamentally change the size and nature of social inequalities. Success in labour markets and society will likely be driven by other skills than in the past, and traditional predictors of social mobility (e.g. class, credentials) are likely to be affected by these technological innovations. The empirical plausibility of potential implications is still ill-understood, and as a result it is unclear how governments can best respond to technological innovations. Most of the literature addresses the question of whether automation will create or destruct jobs. This project answers this question better, but also pushes beyond the research frontiers by focussing on the broader societal impact of technological developments. Our research will provide more precise forecasting of labour market consequences of technological innovations (WP1), explore new ways of measuring automation rates in European countries (WP1), explain how technological innovations are most likely to shape societal inequalities (WP2), study the role of various forms of education (WP3) and innovative forms of social welfare (WP4) in maximizing growth and reducing inequality, and assess the consequences of automation for public finances (WP5). We also assess whether and how the Fourth Industrial Revolution is different from earlier technological revolutions (WP6). TECHNEQUALITY will serve as a foundation for a better understanding of technologically driven social inequalities and a catalyst for new research. Innovative forecasting models on the impact of automation will enhance labour market macro-efficiency and equitable labour market outcomes. We will also set the agenda for policy debates on societal consequences of technological developments (WP7). Our findings will spawn concrete and actionable policy impacts for national governments, the EU, and the OECD.