Exposure to automation and investment in human capital in European Union countries

Developing technologies are changing the way we perform professional tasks and transforming labor markets. We are witnessing the emergence of new professions, the disappearance of others, and the emergence of changes in existing ones. These processes require adaptation by individuals, companies, and institutions, and the vision of a predictable career path is blurring. This necessitates lifelong learning, which means frequent investments in human capital.
Technology can both automate and support professional tasks. In either case, investing in human capital can be beneficial. On the one hand, employees exposed to automation may need new or broader skills to maintain their position in the labor market. At the same time, companies may be reluctant to train employees whose jobs they intend to automate. On the other hand, using implemented technologies may require specific skills, forcing companies to upgrade their workforce.
Moreover, recent advances in artificial intelligence have significantly expanded the group of people vulnerable to automation, encompassing not only workers performing routine tasks but also highly skilled individuals previously considered "automation-resistant." Consequently, the group of people at risk has become highly diverse, not only in terms of qualifications and tasks performed, but also in terms of human capital investments.
The goal of this project is to better understand how exposure to automation technologies impacts human capital investment and to identify the motivations and barriers behind this. The project focuses on workers in the European Union, distinguishing between exposure to routine tasks and exposure to artificial intelligence. The research findings could be valuable to organizations and policymakers seeking to provide tailored training that minimizes the negative impact of technology on employees' situation and prospects in the evolving labor market.