Robots and artificial intelligence to cost 5 million jobs by 2020, study says

Engineering student Cyrus Kiiru (left) fields questions from the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology, Professor Colleta Akinyi (right) on how Mechatronics robot 'Rapture' works before the P. S. presided over the Engineering Courses accreditation ceremony at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology in Nyeri grounds in 2015, looking on is the institutions Vice Chancellor Professor Ndirangu Kioni. PHOTO: MOSE SAMMY/STANDARD

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND: Disruptive labour market changes, including the rise of robots and artificial intelligence, will result in a net loss of 5.1 million jobs over the next five years in 15 leading countries, according to an analysis published in Davos on Monday.

The projection by the World Economic Forum (WEF), which is holding its annual meeting in the Swiss ski resort this week, assumes a total loss of 7.1 million jobs, offset by a gain of 2 million new positions.