Coronavirus speeds the way for robots in the workplace: Past experience suggests the advance of automation happens in sudden surges — and economic downturns are often a trigger.
- A 2018 study looked at three recessions over the past 30 years and found 88% of the jobs lost were in routine, "automatable" occupations.
- A 2016 paper examined almost 100 million job posts online before and after the 2008 recession and concluded companies in hard-hit areas were replacing employees performing routine tasks with a mix of technology and more skilled workers.
