Artificial Intelligence and the Labour Market



Overview

There are many drivers affecting how work is organised in a society. While this is a phenomenon that has always existed, in recent decades, changes in labour demand and supply have been of particular interest in the public debate. The emergence of new technologies in the workplace, ageing populations, app-mediated services, climate change, COVID-19 and others are shaping the jobs and skills in demand today.

It is often said that educational institutions prepare tomorrow's workers with the skills needed by industry yesterday. Apparently, there would seem to be some truth in that. There are enormous challenges for education and training institutions in instructing human capital in today's context. The pace of change in the workplace seems to be faster than the capacity to assess them and make the appropriate courses modifications.

This day school will show the institutional efforts of organisations and researchers to improve labour market information systems. The aim is to get participants to think about how important it is for policymakers and citizens to be aware of changes in the labour market so they can be re-skilled or up-skilled and stay employed. Is it possible to use AI to analyse changes in labour demand and supply in real time? What are the challenges and risks involved? Given the rise and obsolescence of skills, is it possible to know what training I should take? Through the lectures, participants will explore and discuss the importance of skills mismatches, how they affect people and the development of techniques for rapidly processing data from the labour market.

This course will close for enrolment 2 days prior to the start date

Programme details

9.45am
Registration

10.00am
Labour market trends today

  • Demystifying ‘the rise of machines’
  • The emergence of new skills on-demand and obsolescence of others.
  • How do factors like COVID-19 or climate change shape the demand for skills?
  • Types of skills mismatches and their social implications

11.15am
Tea/coffee break

11.45am
AI in the labour market: opportunity provided by online data

  • Online labour information: a complementary and faster approach for measure skills on demand
  • Limitations and ethics concerns using online information
  • Using natural language processing techniques for processing data in quasi-real time
  • NLP algorithms used for analysing local labour markets

1.00pm
Lunch break

2.00pm
Possible scenarios for problems in the labour market?

  • Automated match between labour supply and demand? Challenges and risks
  • Are tailor-made for re-skilling programmes possible?
  • Summary for groups discussions

3.15pm
Tea/coffee break

3.45pm
Group discussion on challenges and risks

  • Break into groups for reflection and discussion.
  • Is the skills mismatch a problem only in the academic world?  What problems would the automation of selection processes bring for employers and workers? What are the benefits? In what ways can we better cope with re-skilling for work?
  • End the session with each group sharing their reflections

5.00pm
Course disperses

Fees

Description Costs
Tuition fee (includes tea/coffee) £85.00
Baguette £6.10

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit or are a full-time student in the UK you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees.

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Mr Gianni Anelli-Lopez

Tutor

Gianni Anelli is a Chilean doctoral student at the Institute of Employment Research at the University of Warwick.  He has a background is in sociology, and work experience led him to specialize in labour market studies. His interest is studying changes in labour demand and supply due to the irruption of current drivers, such as technological advances and work automation. The current dynamism of the market makes it necessary to analyse whether the demand for skills (employers) is satisfied by the supply (job seekers). Suppose there are skill shortages in occupations or economic sectors. In that case, it is important to measure them to generate valuable information for updating educational plans in training and educational institutions.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included in the price, but if you wish to stay with us the night before the course, then please contact our Residential Centre.

Accommodation in Rewley House - all bedrooms are modern, comfortably furnished and each room has tea and coffee making facilities, Freeview television, and Free WiFi and private bath or shower rooms.  Please contact our Residential Centre on +44 (0) 1865 270362 or email res-ctr@conted.ox.ac.uk for details of availability and discounted prices.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support