Expert says robotization to kill up to 6 mln jobs in 10 years

MOSCOW, Jul 15 (PRIME) -- Robotization could force companies to dismiss up to 6 million jobs during the next 10 years in Russia as 90% of work will be automated, Internet Initiatives Development Fund Director Kirill Varlamov told PRIME on Monday.

“Professions with low-skilled intellectual activity could disappear partially or fully: there are such segments of activity with lawyers, accountants, staff personnel. A lot of people will be fired there, it is already happening. The people who deal with organization, planning, robot controls will remain, but technical office management will disappear. About 90% of work can be taken from a person,” Varlamov said.

“We expect that if Russia actively modernizes in the next 10 years, up to 6 million jobs can be eliminated, and requirements of employers and work features can change dramatically for 25 million people, which allows me to speak about the disappearance of these jobs as well. In percentage terms, changes will occur to 60–70% of jobs.”

The freed staff would be not fully employed in the new conditions due to the lack of necessary competences and skills, he said.

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