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Abigail Service

Prof. Wright

English 1010

29 March 2025

Annotated Bibliography: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Job Markets and

Employment

Section 1: Introduction to the Topic

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries across the globe, significantly

altering the landscape of employment and the job market. AI technologies such as machine

learning, natural language processing, and robotics are automating tasks that were once

performed by humans, leading to both the creation and elimination of jobs. On the one hand, AI

can create new jobs in sectors like data science, AI programming, and automation maintenance.

On the other hand, it also poses a threat to existing jobs, especially in sectors like manufacturing,

retail, and customer service, where repetitive tasks can be easily automated.

The increasing adoption of AI is particularly significant because of its potential to drive

productivity and economic growth while simultaneously creating challenges related to job

displacement, skill gaps, and economic inequality. These changes pose complex questions

regarding how workers, businesses, and governments should adapt. My interest in this topic

stems from the dual nature of AI’s impact on the labor market and the importance of preparing
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both workers and policymakers to address the emerging challenges. Understanding these

dynamics is crucial for ensuring that the benefits of AI are maximized while minimizing the

harm to displaced workers.

Section 2: Annotated Bibliography

Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies. W. W. Norton & Company, 2014.

This book explores the broader implications of digital technologies, including AI, on the

future of work. Brynjolfsson and McAfee focus on how these technologies are fundamentally

changing the nature of work and the economy, emphasizing both the opportunities for growth

and the risks of job displacement. They discuss the concept “technological unemployment and

suggest ways for individuals, companies, and governments to adapt.

This source provides an in-depth analysis of the role of AI in shaping the future

workforce. The book is especially useful for understanding the broader economic trends at play

and how technology is changing work beyond individual industries. It will serve as a

foundational resource for exploring the benefits and challenges of AI on employment,

particularly in my section on policy recommendations and potential solutions.

Chui, Michael, et al. "Artificial Intelligence: The Next Digital Frontier?" McKinsey Global

Institute, 2017, www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/artificial-intelligence.

Chui and colleagues provide a report on the potential impacts of AI on the global

workforce. The report estimates the scale of job automation across different industries and
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examines how AI could augment existing roles rather than simply replacing them. It includes

insights from McKinsey’s research on AI’s capabilities and its application to the workplace, with

predictions for future trends.

This report is particularly valuable because it offers empirical data and forecasts based on

large-scale studies. It is crucial for supporting my argument about the nuanced impacts of AI on

various job sectors. The research presented in this source helps me articulate how automation and

AI could be integrated into workplaces in ways that complement human labor rather than simply

eliminate jobs.

Susceptible Are Jobs to Computerization?" Technological Forecasting and Social Change,

vol. 114, 2017, pp. 254-280.

Frey and Osborne’s paper investigates the susceptibility of different occupations to

automation through AI and robotics. By analyzing nearly 700 occupations, the authors predict

which jobs are at the highest risk of being automated in the near future. They categorize jobs

based on their ability to be replaced by machines and highlight the societal implications of

widespread automation.

This peer-reviewed article is instrumental in discussing the risks of AI-related job

displacement. Its statistical approach provides a data-driven basis for understanding which

sectors are most vulnerable to automation. This source will contribute to my discussion on job

displacement and its implications for workers and policymakers.

Susskind, Richard, and Daniel Susskind. The Future of the Professions: How Technology

Will Transform the Work of Human Experts. Oxford University Press, 2015.

Susskind and Susskind explore the potential of AI and other technologies to disrupt

professional fields such as law, medicine, and education. They argue that AI will significantly

alter the roles of professionals by making expert knowledge more accessible and by automating

many tasks currently performed by highly skilled individuals.

This book is useful for examining how AI will affect not only low-skill jobs but also

high-skill, traditionally “secure” professions. The discussion of how AI can democratize

expertise and potentially displace professionals will contribute to my project’s analysis of AI’s

impact across the entire job spectrum, from blue-collar to white-collar work.

West, Darrell M. "The Future of Work: Robots, AI, and Automation." Brookings

Institution, 2018, www.brookings.edu/research/the-future-of-work-robots-ai-and-

automation/.

In this report, West examines the potential effects of robots and AI on the American

workforce. He discusses both the opportunities and challenges posed by automation, highlighting

the need for retraining and reskilling programs to prepare workers for the jobs of the future. West

also emphasizes the importance of public policies to support workers in transition.

This report is essential for understanding the policy aspects of AI’s impact on

employment. West’s emphasis on the need for retraining programs and government intervention
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aligns with the focus of my project on how to mitigate the negative effects of AI through

proactive measures. This source will also provide real-world examples of how different regions

and sectors are responding to the rise of automation.

World Economic Forum. "The Future of Jobs Report 2020." World Economic Forum, 2020,

www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2020.

The World Economic Forum’s report offers a comprehensive analysis of how AI,

automation, and other technological advances are reshaping job markets globally. It discusses the

skills in demand, the jobs at risk, and the sectors likely to experience growth due to automation,

as well as the potential for new job categories.

This report is an excellent resource for predicting future employment trends. It is

particularly valuable for identifying the skills that will be in high demand as AI continues to

evolve, which is an important component of my research on job market shifts. The data presented

here will support my discussion on how workers can adapt to the changing landscape of

employment.

Section 3

To further explore the impact of artificial intelligence on job markets and employment, I

plan to investigate specific case studies of industries and regions already experiencing significant

disruption due to AI adoption. For example, I will explore the effects of automation in sectors

such as transportation, healthcare, and retail, focusing on both job displacement and the creation
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of new opportunities. Additionally, I intend to examine government policies aimed at mitigating

these disruptions, such as retraining programs, universal basic income, and tax incentives for

companies that hire displaced workers. Understanding these policy measures will allow me to

evaluate their effectiveness in managing the societal challenges posed by AI.

Furthermore, I will broaden my research to consider the global impact of AI on

employment, particularly in developing nations. This will help me assess how countries with

different economic and technological landscapes are responding to AI's influence on their

workforces. Additionally, I will explore the ethical implications of AI in the workplace, focusing

on issues such as bias in AI algorithms, privacy concerns, and the broader social consequences of

automation. By delving into these areas, I aim to gain a comprehensive understanding of how AI

will shape the future of work and offer actionable insights on preparing workers for these

changes.