Tech DisruptionFuture of Work

1.5 Credits · Level: Graduate, Juris Doctor

This class will explore three related issues. Technology disruption and its implication for industries and for jobs and society. Technology has been disrupting companies, industries, and societies for centuries. Big changes began during the industrial revolution of the late 1700’s - the agricultural revolution, the manufacturing revolution, and the electronic revolution have all changed enterprises, industries, jobs, and society. Now we are in the early stages of the Fourth Industrial Revolution; a digital world with automated vehicles, robotics, the metaverse, AI, quantum computing, and many other technology advancements some of which we can predict and others that will be developed. These looming technologies will disrupt individual enterprises. Some enterprises will adopt, some will adapt, and many will falter. Whole industries will be created as in the mobile phone industry which began its significant rise in the early 1980’s and then was transformed when phones (and other mobile devices) were linked to the internet via fast telecom networks in the mid-2000’s. As current and future managers, MBA students can benefit from understanding these technology trends and developments – how they come about and what their impact is. Several tools will be introduced that can be used to better predict and understand the implications - timing and magnitude - of future technology disruption. And students can benefit from understanding the implications for how work is organized and what jobs are likely to be in demand and whether they will be high-paying or not (job quantity and job quality.) The implications for employers and employees as well as for governments and public policy (for society) and finally for personal careers will be explored.