Automation continues to be a very significant factor in the loss of manufacturing jobs. Ever-increasing productivity is a two-edged sword as fewer workers are needed to produce more goods. The simple truth is that this long-standing trend likely will accelerate. Robots are increasingly replacing factory workers, especially those who perform repetitive activities. In fact, a recent report from Oxford University, "The Future of Employment," says that robots will replace nearly half of all jobs within the next two decades—and that's not just factory jobs. Skilled workers including lawyers, pilots, doctors, and accountants also are facing competition from robots and artificial intelligence.
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