Robots and Artificial Intelligence Poised to Man 60 Percent of Nevada Jobs by 2035?

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Robots and Artificial Intelligence Poised to Man 60 Percent of Nevada Jobs by 2035?

Nevada Economic Development Conference to highlight state’s susceptibility to automation and job loss; explores beating the odds

(Carson City, Nev., August 8, 2017) – In its ongoing campaign to educate and prepare Nevada businesses and community members on the rapidly changing economic environment within the Silver State, the Nevada Economic Development Conference (NVEDC) scheduled for Sept. 11-13 will highlight a discussion into the future of job loss due to technological advances and automation. Dr. Johannes Moenius and Dr. Jess Chen, both from the University of the Redlands, will address these issues and more during their session on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

While past analysis of job loss due to automation has focused on the Rust Belt, new research from Moenius and Chen shows that coming decades will see high concentrations of job loss in low-wage positions such as food preparation, office/administration and sales. It is estimated that by 2035, more than half of U.S. jobs will be susceptible to automation. Further, the Las Vegas and Reno Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) could see job losses of up to 65%, due to their dependency on these lower income positions.

Moenius, the founding director, and Chen, faculty fellow, of the Institute for Spatial Economic Analysis (ISEA) at the University of Redlands, believe that the probability of automation has been greatly underestimated over the years, and that a fresh approach to analysis needed to be taken. The University of Redlands team has studied the topics at length and has made some striking conclusions. Unlike previous studies, their efforts show that regions such as Las Vegas are most susceptible to automation because of their high share and dependency on low-wage paying jobs. It is surmised that in the future, the already low-wage earners, such as food servers and clerical positions, will be pushed out of the market by highly adaptive and cost effective artificial intelligence.

Moenius and Chen will address these issues and more during their NVEDC topic discussion: The Future Workforce – Will Robots & Drones Replace Humans. They will explore why Las Vegas and positions throughout the region will be hit particularly hard, what businesses will be impacted the most, and how economic developers and local governments can prepare for the future.

The NVEDC is open to anyone interested in the Nevada’s economy and will be held at the UNLV Student Union Sept. 11- 13. The conference will feature exclusive tours and track sessions that include the leading experts in the fields of agribusiness, economic development, energy, infrastructure/transportation, manufacturing, tourism/gaming and workforce development. NVEDC is the only business development and networking conference of its kind, offering a forum for a broad section of professionals to explore and share ideas, programs, services and products that will help “build a stronger Nevada in a global economy.”

“The Nevada Economic Development Conference is an exciting opportunity for businesses and community leaders to learn about what is happening in a variety of industries and explore the future of economic development in Nevada,” said NVEDC Chair and City of Henderson Economic Development and Tourism Director Barbra Coffee. “The conference is available to anyone interested in growth, opportunities and trends affecting our state.”

About the Nevada Economic Development Conference (NVEDC)

Presented by UNLV’s Lee Business School, the UNLV Center for Business and Economic Research; the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) College of Business and the Western Nevada Economic Development District (WNDD), this will be the first year NVEDC is hosted in Las Vegas. The opening sessions, off-site tours, breakout sessions and keynote speakers create a multi-track conference focused on the state and its strength in a global landscape, aiming to build capacity, increase efficiency and promote innovation to proactively respond to Nevada’s rapidly changing economic environment.

To learn more about the Nevada Economic Development Conference and to view the schedule of events, visit: NVEDC.com.

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See the article on Carson Valley Times

Work Together or Fall Behind by Ed Lawson

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It was a simple map, showing in the simplest terms the changing realities of the Nevada economy. In the center was the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, the nation’s largest industrial and technology center. A circle representing a 50 mile radius was drawn around the site. Within that circle there were more than 40 governmental entities of different sizes and missions…and untold number of businesses and industries.

It hammered home a simple message: work together or we fall behind.

Economic development is the process of growing the overall economy, including job creation, new business recruitment, and growing existing businesses. It must include group activities and a multitude of contributing factors such as leadership, quality education, workforce development and recruitment, housing, public investment, government support and community buy-in.

With so many factors, so many moving parts, working within your “silo” just doesn’t work. Especially when we look at the scale of our latest business relocations and start-up endeavors.

As chairman of the Western Nevada Development District (WNDD) Board of Directors, it has become obvious that collaboration is the key to our future success. The WNDD is the sole planning district recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce and is comprised of the nine counties of western Nevada from Humboldt County in the north to Mineral County. We are built on collaboration.

Government is just one small aspect of the breeding ground for a new economy. That new breeding ground will be on display at the upcoming Building a Stronger Nevada Economic Conference set for Sept. 20-22 at the University of Nevada, Reno, Joe Crowley Student Union.
It is a boldly diverse conference as the 28-member planning committee and the state’s two universities have tried to create the new map for economic development based on seven categories:
• Agribusiness
• Business/Entrepreneurship
• Economic Development/Vitality
• Energy
• Manufacturing
• Transportation/Infrastructure
• Workforce Development

We will have key note speakers from Tesla and others talking about the secrets to successful collaboration between rural and urban communities.

The obvious question is who should attend. I would say everyone in business or wanting to do business in Nevada, but some of these people may be you: People who ride bikes. People who have to hire other people. People who are thinking about energy and its future in Nevada. People who are starting a new business, or want to re-energize their current business. People who want their art to be a career. People who want to “bump into” their next business collaborator. People looking ahead with farming challenges, opportunities and innovations occurring to strengthen the agricultural industry.

And, if your a fledgling entrepreneur who wants to break through the white noise of starting a new business enterprise that takes advantage of our new Nevada economy. I should definitely see you there.

To get the full story on the Building a Stronger Nevada Conference and to register, visit: Registration.

Economic Realities

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‘Building a Stronger Nevada’ Shares Nevada’s New Economic Realities
Set for University of Nevada, Reno, September 20-22, 2016

(Reno, NV, For Immediate Release) – From sustainable agri-business to connecting with the mining industry, ‘Building a Stronger Nevada’ economic development conference provides the critical insight needed to navigate Nevada’s dynamic and changing economy.  Network with hundreds of connections and listen to top professionals and industry insiders September 20-22, 2016 at the University of Nevada, Reno.  Register for the state’s largest networking and economic development conference at www.wndd.org.

The conference’s multi-track format has something for every aspect of business, industry and community leadership including:
• Agribusiness
• Business/Entrepreneurship
• Economic Development/Vitality
• Energy
• Manufacturing
• Transportation/Infrastructure
• Workforce Development

Highlights of Panels, Institutes and Tours with a rural Nevada focus:
Making the Mining Connection:  The Silver State’s mining communities are adapting and growing on a world economic stage.  This session covers supply chains and services, recharging downtowns and closing the housing gap.

Sustainable Dryland Agriculture Initiative at UNR:
The session will discuss the ongoing development of the sustainable dryland agriculture program, including projected economic impacts related to production and mitigation, scientific positions being filled, and public private partnerships being built.  Partnerships focus areas cover beef production, agronomy, horticulture, natural resources, and biotechnology.

Access to Capital – Making Ends Meet:
Properly capitalizing business enterprise can be a challenge, whether you are a city, county, non-profit, or business.  Grants, incentives, loan and non-traditional sources for capital will be discussed during this break-out. Presentations by Small Business Administration, USDA Rural Development, Nevada Department of Business and Industry, VEDC, and Hamilton/Lane.

Tour of Desert Research Institute Laboratory and Applied Innovation Center:
Participants will have a special and unique opportunity to tour the world renowned Desert Research Institute. Presentations will include cutting edge and innovative research such as the Ecologically Controlled Enclosed Lysimeter (Eco CELLs) Laboratory, DRI’s educational programs, involvement in the Native Waters on Arid Lands project and recent developments in DRI’s partnerships related to food and agriculture.
Four keynote speakers are scheduled to present at the conference:
Diarmuid O’Connell, Vice President of Business Development at Tesla Motors, will discuss accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable transport.

Robert Lang, Coauthor of Megapolitan America and Professor of sociology and the Director of Brookings Mountain West at the University of Nevada–Las Vegas to cover economic development, and metropolitan policy.

Dr. Sam Cordes, Purdue University, will present on regional economic development and rural community development.

Brett Kelsey, Intel Security’s Vice President & Chief Technology Officer for the Americas, will disclose technology implementation strategies in government and the private sector.

The cost is just $150 and includes opening sessions with keynote speakers, institutes, tours and educational sessions, Exhibit Hall Reception, parking and luncheons for both days. A one-day conference pass is $100.

Building a Stronger Nevada is presented by the Western Nevada Development District, University of Nevada, Reno College of Business, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Center for Business & Economic Research, USDA Rural Development and Nevada Industry Excellence.

For further information, including registration details, log on to www.wndd.org and follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/2016StrongerNevada/

For media inquiries contact Becky Contos at (775) 848-5275 or Don Vetter at (775) 848-0670