IOWA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DIRECTOR DEBI DURHAM SAYS IN TODAY’S ECONOMY — AND WITH A LIMITED POOL OF WORKERS AS IOWA’S POPULATION AGES — STATE INCENTIVES FOR MANUFACTURERS ARE BEING FOCUSED ON THE QUALITY OF JOBS THAT WOULD BE CREATED RATHER THAN ON THE NUMBER OF JOBS.
DEBI1 OC………DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY.” :17
AUTOMATION IS HAVING A BIG IMPACT IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY, FOR EXAMPLE, AND DURHAM SAYS SHE’S VISITING COMPANIES IN PLACES LIKE INDIA THAT ARE MAKING PRESCRIPTION AND OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS.
DEBI2 OC……..ALL OF THAT.” :28
DURHAM SAYS AUTOMATION NOT ONLY INCREASES PRODUCTIVITY AND IMPROVES WORK FLOW, IT IMPROVES SAFETY IN INDUSTRIES LIKE FOOD PRODUCTION.
DEBI3 OC……INJURY PRONE.” :11
SHE SAYS MANUFACTURING PLANTS WILL STILL NEED PEOPLE, BUT WILL HAVE MORE LIMITED STAFF AND THE STATE IS PREPARING FOR A FUTURE DOMINATED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND AUTOMATION.
DURHAM MADE HER COMMENTS AT THE IOWA TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM.
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