A Nonprofit for a Changing World by Kimberly

A Nonprofit for a Changing World by Kimberly - February 2020 Scholarship Essay

In the film Hidden Figures, the installation of a new IBM 7090 electronic computer threatens to replace the human mathematicians of NASA’s West Area computing division. Dorothy Vaughn keeps her job by learning Fortran, allowing her to join the programming department. Innovation certainly improves the quality of our lives, but it also heralds significant challenges and uncertainty.
Today, more than 25% of US jobs experience disruption due to automation. Coupled with the continuous advancements in artificial intelligence, many people rightfully fear for the future of their occupation. However, despite the short-term unemployment effects that technological innovation can cause, in the long run, experts predict that more jobs will ultimately be created. What people need is a more diverse and complex skillset to accommodate the shifting needs of industry. I believe that a non-profit organization focused on re-educating workers and advocating for public policy that supports displaced workers in the face of technology would help address this issue.
Being laid off from a job creates a host of issues such as lower wages upon re-entering the workforce to health issues and depression. An NPO could aid workers by hosting skill workshops, connecting them with community college programs, and assisting in the job search process. Addressing automation also requires action on a broader scale though, not just with displaced workers themselves. An issue of innovation is that people fail to consider its implications in favor of pursuing any form of technological advancement. My NPO would help foster the dialogue necessary to ensure innovators consider the technical and human dimensions of their creations. It would also advocate for policy changes like tax code revisions and wage insurance.
The world is changing faster than ever thanks to technology. Opposing these technological advances is not an option, but preparing people for change is necessary. A nonprofit focused on such goals would help address the issues of automation.