Confronting robotization in Mexico

This paper discusses the relatively unexplored risk of societal disruption following from the replacement of human labor by the use of robots and artificial intelligence in Mexico. It sketches the broader context and background of the so called ‘fourth industrial revolution’ and reviews available data on the impact of automatization on work. While most such studies have centered on Europe and the United States, this paper argues that this issue should be of serious concern to researchers and policy makers in Mexico. The paper proposes a framework for discussing the possible policy responses to this threat, classifying these responses into preventive, mediating and compensating policies. After offering a brief discussion of ten such responses, the paper concludes by arguing that if this emerging societal challenge is to be taken serious, a combination of both preventive, mediating and compensating policies must be investigated, rather than searching for one particular ‘fix’.