Much controversy and discussion are taking place about what the future job market will look like. Many Americans are anxious over the uncertainties and want to know. Can manufacturing return? Is innovation key to the future? What role will technology and artificial intelligence play? Where do education, government, and entrepreneurialism fit in? What about unions? What jobs will fade away and what is likely to replace them? How can we prepare for a viable prosperous job future?
Nicole Gelinas is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a contributing editor of City Journal, and a columnist at the New York Post. She writes on urban economics and finance. Gelinas is a CFA charterholder and the author of After the Fall: Saving Capitalism from Wall Street—and Washington (2011). Gelinas has published analysis and opinion pieces in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and other publications. Before coming to City Journal, she was a business journalist for Thomson Financial, where she covered the international syndicated-loan and private-debt markets. Gelinas holds a B.A. in English literature from Tulane University.
Dr. Michael Mandel is chief economic strategist at the Progressive Policy Institute in Washington DC and senior fellow at the Wharton School (UPenn). He was chief economist at BusinessWeek prior to its purchase by Bloomberg. With experience spanning policy, academics, and business, Dr. Mandel has helped lead the public conversation about the economic and business impact of technology for the past two decades. Mandel’s seminal analysis showing how eCommerce creates jobs and reduces inequality was featured by the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, and Financial Times, among others. Mandel argues that Americans suffer from too little innovation, rather than too much. More innovation, especially in “physical” industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare, will raise wages and create more good jobs. His current work focuses on the economic benefits of digital manufacturing; job creation by eCommerce and 5G; pharmaceutical pricing and innovation; and regulation of cross-border data flows. He spearheads PPI’s “Investment Heroes” annual report and tracks App Economy jobs around the world. Mandel has written four books, including the optimistic Rational Exuberance. His economics textbook, Economics: The Basics, is in its fourth edition. He received a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University and taught at NYU’s Stern School of Business.
Peter Coy, moderator/discussant, is the economics editor for Bloomberg Businessweek and covers a wide range of economic issues. He also holds the position of senior writer.