TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE LABOR MARKET IN CONDITIONS OF DEMOGRAPHIC DEFICIT: THE ROLE OF AUTOMATION AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36773/1818-1112-2026-139-1-315-318Keywords:
population aging, demographic deficit, labor market, workers 50+, artificial intelligence, automation, technological assistance, longevity dividend, continuing education, roboticsAbstract
The article examines the transformation of the role of workers over the age of 50 in the labor market in the context of global demographic aging and accelerated digitalization of the economy. Against the background of the projected doubling of the share of the population over 60 by 2050 and the reduction of the able-bodied group, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are no longer solely optimization tools and are becoming necessary to maintain economic stability. The paper substantiates the paradigm shift: from the social adaptation of older workers to their technological assistance. The concept is proposed according to which technologies, including collaborative robots (cobots), exoskeletons and AI assistants, act as a "professional exoskeleton" that compensates for physical and cognitive age-related changes and enhances accumulated experience. The potential of 50+ employees in new roles such as industrial engineering is analyzed, where their deep business knowledge and intuition become critical for calibrating generative AI. The cases of using AI as a cognitive assistant are considered. Special attention is paid to the critical analysis of risks, including the "age bias" of algorithms, psychological pressure due to fear of automation and the need to form "roboetics". It is argued that continuing education should focus on the development of AI literacy in a safe and practice-oriented environment. The article proves that technological transformation is not a threat of displacement, but a catalyst for inclusivity, allowing the realization of the "longevity dividend". The conclusions and recommendations are focused on the development of public policy in the Republic of Belarus aimed at the introduction of technologies that help employees over 50 to remain competitive and economically active.
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