Arthur Brooks & Michael R. Strain. A labor market for the digital age: Pathways and opportunities. AEI. 04 Apr 2016.

  A joint event cosponsored by AEI, the Center for American Progress, and the Markle Foundation

  AEI, Twelfth Floor
  1150 Seventeenth Street, NW
  Washington, DC 20036

  Video

  Event Material

  Transcript

  Event Summary

  At this event, panelists discussed the large-scale transformations facing our modern economy and what can be done to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to participate in it.

  AEI President Arthur C. Brooks highlighted what he believes to be a “moral consensus” across the ideological spectrum — that opportunities should be pushed to those at society’s periphery. Center for American Progress President Neera Tanden discussed the challenges that globalization and technology pose to the economic security of average and marginalized Americans.

  The Aspen Institute’s Walter Issacson asked about the “disjuncture” facing our economy, in which jobs remain unfilled while workers remain unemployed. Markle President Zoe Baird argued that American workers’ skills and talents are not being properly identified and channeled, and she highlighted the work her foundation has done to address this through programs such as Skillful. Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper discussed the need to rapidly retrain those displaced by globalization and technology. Purdue University President Mitch Daniels drew attention to the hollowing out of the middle class and the trend of discouraged workers not captured in the unemployment rate.

  Panelists also discussed the gig economy, social institutions’ potential role, and the revitalization of cities by the “creative class.”
  –Wendy Morrison

  Event Description

  It is time for a new conversation. Amid large-scale economic transformation, it is vital to ensure all Americans benefit from the wave of digital revolutions that have permeated modern life. While these changes have brought many benefits, there are too many Americans who don’t know where to find opportunity in this new networked era. We need a path to a hopeful future.

  AEI President Arthur Brooks and Center for American Progress President Neera Tanden will offer opening remarks, followed by a conversation among Markle Foundation CEO and President Zoe Baird, Purdue University President Mitch Daniels, and Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, moderated by Walter Isaacson, CEO of the Aspen Institute. Please join us for this important discussion on navigating the 21st-century economy.

  Join the conversation on social media at #AmericasMoment and by following @AEIecon, @amprog, and @MarkleFdn.

  Agenda

1.       1:15 PM
Registration and light refreshments

2.       1:30 PM
Introduction:
Arthur C. Brooks, AEI
Neera Tanden, Center for American Progress

3.       1:40 PM
Panel discussion

Participants:
Zoe Baird, Markle Foundation
Mitch Daniels, Purdue University
John Hickenlooper, Governor of Colorado

Moderator:
Walter Isaacson, Aspen Institute

4.       2:30 PM
Q&A

5.       3:00 PM
Adjournment

Event host: Michael Strain, AEI