Description: In last week’s blog, you may have read the piece describing research by the Canadian government, noting that AI may not be targeting as many jobs as feared. Don’t tell the workers at the Loblaws grocery chain warehouses: they may not believe you. Automation and consolidation of facilities will put about 800 workers on the sidelines by the end of 2021. Loblaws says it will work with the unions to help ease the painful transition.

Date:  January 7, 2020

Source:  cbc.ca

Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/provigo-maxi-loblaws-distribution-centre-laval-1.5417932

Discussion points:

1) Have you ever worked for a grocery chain as a part-time or summer job?

2) What types of jobs do you feel are most vulnerable to automation?

3) In Chapter 5 of Wiley’s Financial Accounting: Tools for Business Decision-Making, we learn about the multi-step income statement (see page 257 for example). Where would the cost reductions from automation show up on this financial statement?