The recently suspended dockworkers’ strike along the U.S. Eastern seaboard and Gulf coast reflects growing unease among port workers about the prospect of automation. The International Longshoremen’s Association strike is a test of whether unions can effectively push back against a wave of automation that in some respects appears inevitable. How this situation plays out will have important implications in fields from entertainment to transportation and healthcare.
The dockworkers’ demands included a ban on the automation of gates, cranes, and container-moving trucks. Such demands raise questions about whether it is even possible to balance the need for technological progress with an inclination to protect workers and jobs. A tentative agreement over pay reached this week did not address these automation concerns, leaving further details to be negotiated in the months ahead. However this plays out, the situation illustrates how deeply concerned workers are about losing their livelihoods.
Beyond labor unions, economists like Daron Acemoglu, a prominent professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have been sounding alarm bells about how automation and artificial intelligence may disrupt labor markets and exacerbate income inequality. However, the future of 21st century work is far from determined, and a more optimistic outlook may well be warranted.
Amid all these concerns, it’s worth highlighting how automation is also improving our lives in significant ways. If we look around us, there is evidence of its benefits everywhere, as technology is making life easier and safer for Americans.
Here are a few examples:
Consider the Roomba, the robotic vacuum cleaner that has now become a household name. Unlike a traditional vacuum that requires manual effort, the Roomba operates autonomously. It saves time for busy parents and working professionals, allowing them to reclaim valuable hours to work, spend time with family, or just relax. It’s not just about the convenience of avoiding a tedious task either; the Roomba also improves accessibility for those who struggle with physical impairments. Seniors and people with disabilities now have a device that keeps their homes clean without them needing to lift a finger. It’s a small example of how automation can make daily life simpler and more manageable.
Another benefit of automation is the GPS navigation system. GPS has entirely transformed how we travel, taking away the stress of navigating with physical maps or having to obtain unclear directions from strangers. Apps like Google Maps or Waze provide updates about traffic, suggest faster routes—which can be a lifesaver during rush hour—and they even help us avoid speeding tickets. Think of parents trying to juggle school drop-offs, work, and errands, or delivery drivers under tight schedules—they now have an automated guide that adjusts routes for them on the fly. Like the Roomba, this saves time, but it also reduces the anxiety associated with getting lost.
Lastly, consider the Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitor, a revolutionary device for people with diabetes. Managing diabetes used to mean constant finger-prick tests, which were inconvenient and often painful. Now, once a sensor is inserted into the skin, it automatically monitors glucose levels and sends updates to a smartphone. Alerts are sent if glucose levels become dangerously high or low, allowing users to take immediate action. For parents of children with diabetes, the ability to track their child’s glucose levels remotely offers invaluable peace of mind. Automation here directly impacts health outcomes, making it easier for individuals to manage chronic conditions and live more independently.
These examples illustrate that while automation does lead to disruption and can come with challenges, like those faced by the dockworkers in their ongoing battle, the general arc of technology is one toward progress. From voice-activated assistants to automated lighting systems and smart thermostats, after a while it becomes hard to imagine how we ever lived without our technological marvels.
It’s natural for people to fear change, especially when it threatens job security or the way we are used to doing things. But instead of focusing just on the downsides, we should also embrace the opportunities automation presents. Automation is a powerful force for progress—improving quality of life each and every day.
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