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Index Ranks Robot, AI and Automation Readiness

South Korea, Germany and Singapore are the world’ s top-ranked nations in preparing their economies for the smooth integration of intelligent automation, according to an index and report released by ABB and The Economist Intelligence Unit.

The report, ‘˜The Automation Readiness Index (ARI): Who is ready for the coming wave of innovation?’ provides a snapshot across a set of 25 countries of current government-led efforts to anticipate the resulting changes and shape the outcomes of technological progress.

In assessing the existence of policy and strategy in the areas of innovation, education and the labour market, the study finds that little policy is in place today that specifically addresses the challenges of Artificial Intelligence and robotics-based automation.

In addition, the report says that governmental policies and programs must ensure that the rapid adoption of automation technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) don’ t leave people unprepared for the new, more human-oriented jobs that will be needed as robots and algorithms take on more of the routine task that can be and will be automated. The report also claims that the engagement between policymakers, industry, educational specialists and other stakeholders is necessary for countries’ preparedness for the coming wave of intelligent automation.

Rankings were determined based on a total of 52 indicators (both qualitative and quantitative) selected in consultation with a panel of experts. The analysis focuses in three policy areas:

  • Innovation Environment category tracks the extent to which each country has policies and strategies in place to promote research, the infrastructure required to support innovation, and initiatives to safely capture the opportunities of intelligent automation.
  • Education Policies: As intelligent automation takes on tasks traditionally performed by people, the skills required by employers will evolve. So too will the educational requirements of the workforce. The Education Policies category tracks readiness for these emerging education requirements.
  • Labour Market Policies: Intelligent automation is likely to displace at least some workers currently engaged in automatable tasks. Countries therefore require policies that promote worker mobility and flexibility, allowing displaced workers to easily transition to other roles and industries, as well as programmes that help to develop new skills. Such measures are scored in the Labour Policies category.

You can find the automation readiness index and report here.