Automation and the future of work: An intersectional study of the role of human capital, income, gender and visible minority status

Abstract

This study extends prior research assessing the impacts of advancements in automation on employment by focusing on the effect on various population groups. Employing a human capital and intersectionality lens, and a moderated-mediation analysis of Canadian 2016 Census data, this study finds the effects of automation differ significantly depending on the intersections of income level, gender and visible minority status, differences that for the most part are explained (or mediated) by human capital, especially education. The article discusses several public policy implications related to the roles of individuals, employers and governments in addressing the resulting labour market challenges.