Invested

Issue Three: Readying for the Next Revolution: Robots, Resilience, and a Better Future of Work Issue Three: Readying for the Next Revolution: Robots, Resilience, and a Better Future of Work

About this issue About this issue

After decades of promise and false starts, artificial intelligence is poised to profoundly impact the American workplace. But what’s ahead? This issue of Invested explores how AI-based tech is already being used and the ways intelligent machines augment human initiative. We also discover society has to make some crucial choices, if we want to ensure AI delivers the most benefits to the most people. AI has arrived. The time to talk about it is now.

Contents Contents

Abstract glowing grid surrounded by particles
Invested |Issue Three: Readying for the Next Revolution: Robots, Resilience, and a Better Future of Work
Abstract glowing grid surrounded by particles

Introduction: Readying for the Next Revolution

We have some crucial decisions to make about how to plug AI into our workplaces if we want to prioritize equity, productivity, and innovation for the benefit of many more Americans.

Hands of robot and human touching on global virtual network connection future interface. Artificial intelligence technology concept.
Invested |Issue Three: Readying for the Next Revolution: Robots, Resilience, and a Better Future of Work
Hands of robot and human touching on global virtual network connection future interface. Artificial intelligence technology concept.

Augmentation: The Promise and Possibility of Human-Machine Collaboration

Augmentation—AI designed to work with humans, not replace them—promises to improve job quality and productivity. In an audio feature, roboticists and researchers talk to Invested about augmentation’s design, challenges, and benefits.

Closeup low angle view of a control room at a modern industrial production line with a control person in charge keeping track of the process on a computer. Employee is operating a CNC machine.
Invested |Issue Three: Readying for the Next Revolution: Robots, Resilience, and a Better Future of Work
Closeup low angle view of a control room at a modern industrial production line with a control person in charge keeping track of the process on a computer. Employee is operating a CNC machine.

Worker Vs. Machine: Are Worker Fears or Expectations About Automation Realistic?

AI hasn’t come to many workplaces yet, but reactions are mixed where it’s being tested and implemented. Invested checks in with workers and experts in different industries to get a sense of how people are thinking about what AI means for their work.

A close up photo of dairy cows.
Invested |Issue Three: Readying for the Next Revolution: Robots, Resilience, and a Better Future of Work
A close up photo of dairy cows.

Future Farm: A New England Dairy and the Next Agricultural Revolution

Invested spends a late-summer day in East Canaan, CT, talking with a dairy farm owner, his manager-daughter, and two farm employees about the impacts of AI augmentation on their business, the work, the cows, and their lives in general.

Camera zoom lens zooming in and out to focus a sharp image and to capture a photograph or video
Invested |Issue Three: Readying for the Next Revolution: Robots, Resilience, and a Better Future of Work
Camera zoom lens zooming in and out to focus a sharp image and to capture a photograph or video

A Lens on New Technology and the Future of AI in Manufacturing

No industry has seen more negative impact from robotic technology than manufacturing. But will this new technology actually become a net benefit in that industry? Invested visits the precision optics manufacturer Optimax to find out.

Horizontal color image of businesswoman - unrecognizable person - working with digital tablet in large futuristic factory. Woman standing on top of a balcony, holding touchpad and checking inventory of a manufacturing company on touchscreen tablet. Focus on businesswoman's hands holding black tablet, futuristic machines in background.
Invested |Issue Three: Readying for the Next Revolution: Robots, Resilience, and a Better Future of Work
Horizontal color image of businesswoman - unrecognizable person - working with digital tablet in large futuristic factory. Woman standing on top of a balcony, holding touchpad and checking inventory of a manufacturing company on touchscreen tablet. Focus on businesswoman's hands holding black tablet, futuristic machines in background.

Recommendations: Jumpstarting an AI-Augmented, Human-Centered Future of Work

AI can’t work as a skilled teammate for humans, enhancing and complementing our talents, unless we choose to make that a priority. Here, Invested summarizes this issue’s key takeaways as this collaborative work begins.