A Tale of Two Workers: The Macroeconomics of Automation

Seminar
Departmental Seminar 2019-2020
Speaker
Itay Saporta
Date
13/01/2020 - 12:30 - 11:10Add To Calendar 2020-01-13 11:10:00 2020-01-13 12:30:00 A Tale of Two Workers: The Macroeconomics of Automation Joint with Nir Jaimovich, Henry Siu and Yaniv Yedid-Levi. Abstract Progress in industrial robotics and information technologies has meant that advanced economies have experienced a significant drop in the fraction of the population employed in middle wage, “routine task-intensive” occupations. Applying machine learning techniques, we identify the types of individuals who would otherwise be employed in such occupations, if not for advances in automation technology, and track their labor market outcomes. Based on these findings, we develop a quantitative, heterogeneous agent, general equilibrium model of labor force participation, occupational choice, and capital investment to study the aggregate and distributional effects of advancing automation. We use this framework as a laboratory to evaluate various public policies aimed at addressing the disappearance of routine employment and its consequent impacts on inequality. Economics Building (Number 504). Room 011 אוניברסיטת בר-אילן - Department of Economics Economics.Dept@mail.biu.ac.il Asia/Jerusalem public
Place
Economics Building (Number 504). Room 011
Affiliation
Tel Aviv University
Abstract

Joint with Nir Jaimovich, Henry Siu and Yaniv Yedid-Levi.

Abstract

Progress in industrial robotics and information technologies has meant that advanced economies have experienced a significant drop in the fraction of the population employed in middle wage, “routine task-intensive” occupations. Applying machine learning techniques, we identify the types of individuals who would otherwise be employed in such occupations, if not for advances in automation technology, and track their labor market outcomes. Based on these findings, we develop a quantitative, heterogeneous agent, general equilibrium model of labor force participation, occupational choice, and capital investment to study the aggregate and distributional effects of advancing automation. We use this framework as a laboratory to evaluate various public policies aimed at addressing the disappearance of routine employment and its consequent impacts on inequality.

Last Updated Date : 04/12/2022