The MIT Task Force on the Work of the Future is examining the relationships between technology, work, and society through the lens of mobility, using Southeastern Michigan (the Detroit MSA) as a case study. The automotive industry and transportation as a whole are being transformed by new technologies and business models that directly impact the nature of work and jobs in those industries, while also shaping labor markets, transportation systems, and urban and regional planning. New advances in autonomous transportation shape labor markets and affect firm and household decisions about where to locate, as well as how (and how far) to commute. New business models such as ride- and car-sharing platforms increase gig economy work—and also the possibility of more regulation due to how these new platforms are emerging and are being shaped by social and economic institutions. Regional transportation systems are also being reconsidered in light of these changes. By looking at how these transformations are or may play out in one region, we hope to provide action-oriented insights into how work and workers can prepare for and be supported by these significant changes.
