What if robots take our jobs?

Topic:
     
This article is about how countries are preparing for robots to take over more jobs in the future.
           

Before reading:
      

General Knowledge:

• Can you find Switzerland on a map?
• Some jobs that used to be done by humans can now be done by robots. Can you think of any examples?

         

Speculate:

• The idea of a "guaranteed basic income" is important in this article. What could that phrase mean?

     
Click on the embedded link below to read the article and see photos on the PRI website. Word count: 500

        

What if robots take our jobs? Switzerland considers giving people a guaranteed income        

After reading:
       

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• In your opinion, is an "automated future" something to be afraid of? Why or why not?
• The article mentions two different strategies for offering basic income: the experiment in Manitoba only offered money to "families who earned below a certain amount", while Switzerland is considering offering money to "every citizen". Compare these two strategies. Do you think one is better than the other?
• As the article points out, the experiment in Manitoba seemed to have had a particular effect on new mothers and teenage boys. Evelyn Forget says this could potentially change the course of their lives. Think about the outcome of a mother staying home longer with a newborn baby, for example. Or a young boy finishing high school instead of dropping out. Discuss the long-term effects.
• Matt Zwolinski says, "If we give people cash, they’re likely to use it in responsible ways." Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

       

Reflect and evaluate:

• Do you think an "all-robot workforce" is likely to happen? How many years do you think it will take before it is possible?
• Imagine that your government decided to give every citizen an extra $2600 a month. How would your life be different? What would you use the money for?
• Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
• What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

       

Beyond the page:

• Read more about the Manitoba experiment here: Fascinatingstory: A town without poverty, with better well-being and health

        

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