How the pandemic will open the door to an AI and robotics revolution

While many people hope to get back to normal after the pandemic, economics professor Joel Blit (MASc ’99) sees an unprecedented opportunity for Canada to transform its economy.

The pandemic has forced businesses to do things differently and often better. Firms have digitized processes and automated workflows to survive the economic crisis and address its health risks.

“We are in the midst of a historic opportunity. The artificial intelligence and robotics revolution that we have been expecting is now at our doorstep,” Blit says. “We must start shifting from COVID-19 economic policies that aim to maintain the status quo to policies that embrace change.”

The harsh reality of the pandemic is that millions of people have lost their job, and due to automation, many of these jobs will never come back. But trying to restore the old normal is a losing proposition that would only ensure Canada’s loss of global competitiveness, Blit says. Instead, we must promote this economic transformation, while supporting people through the transition and beyond.