HP Innovation Journal Issue 14: Spring 2020 | Page 46

Maggie Warren, a process technician at the fiber-
optic cable manufacturer AFL Global, can see the
future. She’s responsible for buying and maintaining the
manufacturing parts and equipment her company uses, and
she knows that
is fundamentally changing her
industry—and potentially her job. But she isn’t worried.
THE NEW JOB MARKET, BETTER FOR WOMEN?
The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently released
a study noting that 75 million jobs worldwide will be
displaced by technology by 2022, but 133 million will be
created, many of which will be enhanced by technology
in some way.
“I do not see automation as a threat,” she says. “Every
time [manufacturing] gets more advanced, whether it’s
new software, new mechanical components, or new
machines altogether, it forces everyone to learn and
advance themselves.” Women stand to benefit from this transformation, as
a global shortfall of 85 million skilled workers by 2030
creates opportunities for women to fill gaps in tech and
manufacturing industries that have historically been
dominated by men.
Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are
transforming industries like automotive and supply
chain logistics, and everything from how products are
manufactured to how job applicants are selected for
employment. While much of the narrative surrounding
automation focuses on the potential for job losses, it
is primarily a story of opportunity for those who, like
Warren, have the chance to develop new skills. After
earning a degree in machine tool technology, Warren
went on to complete a degree in mechatronics, a
burgeoning field that involves the study of mechanical
and electronic parts for automated processes. Warren’s
background in a STEM (science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics) field positions her well for this
transitioning economy. However, women remain underrepresented in STEM
education, and in developing the AI tools that will
become part of day-to-day life for men and women alike.
A recent WEF study based on LinkedIn data revealed
that only 22% of AI professionals worldwide are women.
Ariane Hegewisch, program director of employment and
earnings at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research,
says female representation in technical fields can
have profound implications on how the very future is
designed and that increasing women’s participation in AI
development reduces the risk of embedding gender biases
into codes and algorithms. As demand for all STEM
skills increases, reskilling initiatives for workers could
help level the playing field for women across industries
affected by automation and AI.
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HP Innovation Journal Issue 14