04 Sep 2017
A report published by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has suggested that future increases in the state pension age could be stopped through the use of ‘economic gains’ generated by robots and artificial intelligence in the workplace.
The TUC examined the impact of the next ‘technological revolution’ on UK workers’ jobs and wages.
It is calling on the government, business and trade unions to work together to maximise opportunities for employees to benefit from the higher productivity generated by robots and artificial intelligence.
Income gains from higher productivity should be used to stop planned increases in the state pension age, the TUC stated.
Commenting on the issue, Frances O’Grady, General Secretary of the TUC, said: ‘With the UK failing to make productivity gains in the last decade, we need to make the most of the economic opportunities that new technologies are offering.
‘Robots and artificial intelligence could let us produce more for less, boosting national prosperity. But we need a debate about who benefits from this wealth, and how workers get a fair share.
‘We should look on the changes ahead as an opportunity to improve the lives of working people and their families. The government could use the revenue generated to reverse policies to raise the state pension age. And businesses could use productivity gains to improve the pay and conditions of workers.’