S2E3 - COVID-19 Accelerating the Shift to a New Normal in the Workplace and the Future of Work

Although technological advances are sometimes viewed with fear, specifically that technology will replace jobs, technology has created new types of work that were formerly not even imagined. As we have seen with the response to COVID-19 in terms of rapid technological innovation and adoption to facilitate working from home, technology can enable “global, flexible and independent work” and in particular, in the Global South. However, the impact of technological changes may be uneven displacing some individuals while creating jobs for others. The future of work in the Global South is closely tied to technological innovation, but as these innovations evolve, attention must be paid to policies that protect workers and provide for education and training to help these workers develop the needed skills. The three areas discussed are based on research studies specific to the Global South, examining digital work and its impact in developing countries. In this HCI podcast episode, Dr. Westover talks with Nasir News in Iran about COVID-19, the U.S. healthcare economy, and the future of work.