The development and deployment of increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI), robots, and other automated systems are transforming workplaces globally, redefining needed workforce roles, skills, and jobs, and reinventing work itself.  Big data, predictive analytics, deep learning, biometrics, algorithmic bias, blockchain tokens, and collaborative robot safety standards are just a handful of terms now becoming commonplace in human resource management.  While technology has been “the” instrument of change for much of human history, its exponentially accelerating arrival, fueled by increasingly nimble robots, mining of big data, and the automation of predictive analytics through deep learning, is beyond anything experienced.  At the same time, most workplace policies, regulations, and laws were established long before such changes were even foreseen.

As Littler Mendelson P.C. developed the largest employment and labor practice in the world, it closely monitored the accelerating global infusion of technology into the workplace.  It became increasingly predictable that robotics, AI, and advanced automation would become the largest collective industry reaching into almost every business, organization, and employer worldwide.   

In 2013, Littler established a Robotics, AI, and Automation Practice Group to spotlight the technologically-induced workforce changes, unmask the workplace legal issues created, and innovate compliance solutions.  Regulations clearly would not keep pace with technology, and employers need guidance to help speed the pace of workplace adoption of transformative technologies to keep competitive in global markets.

On November 12, 2018, Littler's Robotics, AI and Automation Practice Group hosted its third Future Workforce Roundtable, this time also inviting Littler's Workplace Policy Institute^® (WPI^™) to co-host the event.  Littler's Robotics and AI practice and WPI assembled 40 world-class thought leaders and authorities in science, government, academia, law, ethics, and business to address the formation and challenges of the future workforce.  The multi-disciplinary expertise, diversity, and global representation of the distinguished participants (many of whom returned to participate for a third time on the Roundtable) provided for intense discussions, debate, and deliberations with all members contributing.

Building on past thought leadership forums, the 2018 Future Workforce Roundtable participants addressed eight critical inquiries.

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