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I, Robot?
Author(s) -
Mercer Kenneth L.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.5942/jawwa.2017.109.0110
Subject(s) - workforce , face (sociological concept) , brace , robot , public relations , business , political science , labour economics , engineering , sociology , economics , computer science , artificial intelligence , law , mechanical engineering , social science
Several workforce issues have remained troublesome over time in the water industry. Chief among these is an aging workforce and the subsequent expectation that a forthcoming wave of retirements will result in the loss of significant institutional knowledge. Indeed, some utilities have reported that over 50% of their workforces are eligible to retire in the next five years. While we've been warned to brace for this Silver Tsunami, the water industry has also continued its historical struggle to attract and retain the best employees to fill positions across a spectrum of careers. As if tackling these issues weren't enough, it seems we must also begin to face up to the fact that we will soon all be replaced by robots.