Digit researchers contribute to OECD report on AI in manufacturing and finance

28 March 2023

Digit researchers have contributed to a new OECD report examining the impact of AI on workplaces in the finance and manufacturing sectors.

Professor Mark Stuart, Esme Terry, Professor Jackie O’Reilly, Dr Wil Hunt and Dr Steve Rolf conducted case studies of firms in the UK as part of an OECD-led multinational case study research project.

A summary report was launched in a session on Monday 27th March, as part of the OECD the International Conference on AI in Work, Innovation, Productivity and Skills.  Stefano Scarpetta (Director of the Employment, Labour and Social Affairs Directorate, OECD) presented the new OECD work, based on a survey of over 7,000 employers and workers and over 100 in-depth case studies, including UK case studies produced by Digit researchers.

Speakers included Ivana Saula (Research Director, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), Lee Glazier (Head of Service Integrity, Rolls Royce) and Michael Schönstein (Head of Strategic Foresight and Analysis, German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs).  The discussion will be moderated by Stephanie Ifayemi (Head of Policy, Partnership on AI).

The OECD conference brings together leading voices from the policy, academic, business, technical and civil society communities to discuss how AI affects employment, skills, productivity, and innovation, and how policymaking can respond.

The UK case studies shed light on some key areas: the role of worker consultation in the design and implementation of automation systems; changes to task composition and technology-worker interaction; stakeholder attitudes towards AI adoption; impacts of AI and automation on jobs and skills; and the challenges of implementing AI systems and making them cost effective.

Read the reports

The impact of AI on the workplace: Main findings from the OECD AI surveys of employers and workers, Stijn Broecke, Marguerita Lane and Morgan Williams, OECD (2023)

The Impact of AI on the Workplace: Evidence from OECD Case Studies of AI Implementation, Anna Milanez, OECD (2023)

Share this: