Policies to expand digital skills for the machine age

Arbeitspapier

A new technological epoch is underway – the so-called Machine Age –reflecting advances in artificial intelligence, digitalisation and Big Data. Some commentators have claimed that this epoch is different from previous ones in that it will produce large-scale technological unemployment, while others argue the contrary. Only time will judge who is right on this crucial debate. But the Machine Age will lead to major shifts in the demand and supplies of skills, especially digital skills. In this paper, I review the available crosscountry evidence on the distribution of such digital skills across the adult populations within and across a large sample of OECD countries. I also review the evidence on participation rates in adult learning. Finally, I outline how education, training and labour market policies could help expand the supply of digital skills.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: GLO Discussion Paper ; No. 42

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Education: Government Policy ; Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity ; Mobility, Unemployment, and Vacancies: Public Policy ; Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
• Subject: Machine Age ; technological unemployment ; ICT-literacy/digital skills ; adult learning ; education and training policies ; wage insurance

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Martin, John P.
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Global Labor Organization (GLO)
• (where): Maastricht
• (when): 2017

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/156231
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET