Forrester forecasts that despite automation taking 11 million — or 7 percent — of US jobs by 2032, these will be considered modest losses as they will be largely counterbalanced by new job growth in such sectors as professional services, renewable energy, and smart infrastructure. Additionally, over 9.6 million jobs created in a decade’s time will reduce the number of job losses from 11 million to less than 1.5 million.   

Forrester’s research (The Future Of US Jobs, 2032: The Rise Of Human/Machine Teams) further finds that automation will have the capacity to reshape, and even invigorate, the US job market as organizations ramp up automation deployments. This is to provide employees with the technology needed to be more productive, successful, and happier. 

Key takeaways include: 

  • Over the next decade, human/machine collaborative teams will increasingly flourish to drive new levels of quality, productivity, customer experience, and employee experience. As the future of jobs sees the relationship between humans and technology evolve and deepen, firms will need to consider employees every step of the way, even as they rethink and redesign entire workflows. 
  • To infuse automation, AI technology, and related technologies into the workplace, firms must be able to plan for changing jobs; invest in their robotics quotient to measure readiness in having humans work with machines; and encourage employees to cede tasks — or entire jobs — to automation to excel in new areas. 
  • Automation technologies are already offering key benefits to firms beyond cost savings. Along with enabling firms to fill spreading talent gaps stemming from the Great Resignation and other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, automation is allowing employees to devote more time to neglected tasks; drive CX; and improve overall quality and safety. Forrester finds that the fastest-growing benefit for data and analytics decision-makers is being able to use automation to drive deeper insights from data (19 percentage points from 2018 to 2021). 

To access this research or arrange an interview with a Forrester analyst, please contact press@forrester.com.