APEC CEOs discuss new job creators

At the panel on the new job creators in the morning, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland, CEO of CreditEase Ning Tang, Founder and Strategist of Airbnb and CEO of the Vingroup Duong Thi Mai Hoa discussed employment opportunities and challenges in the face of automation. 

The four panelists made positive perspectives on impact of new technology on employment. Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said: “The industrial revolution was fantastic. All of us are richer, healthier, and live longer. But what it took to make new technologies absolutely work for human society was a political revolution that went hand in hand with the industrial revolution. It took basically the invention of the modern social welfare stage such as public schooling, pension, trade union, limit on working hour, and limit on child labor. None of these existed before the industrial revolution.”

The panelists agreed that simple jobs will disappear requiring the workforce to change to adapt. CEO of Credit Ease Mr. Ning Tang said: “Our company and many Chinese companies promote innovative environment. People’s classroom is now in their mobile phones. They enjoy a short video with practical knowledge. They can learn everywhere, even when they are on the way to work.”

Businesses have adjusted their management policies and strengthened technological application to adapt to the new technological era. Ms. Duong Thi Mai Hoa is CEO of the Vingroup of Vietnam: “Beside real-estate as the core business, Vingroup now has 7 main industries. The application of new technology varies in different lines of business. For example in healthcare, new surgery robots are imported, so our doctors must prepare for a partnership between human and machine.”