Part 11/12:
Automation serves as a clear example of how businesses adapt when faced with unmanageable labor costs. The future landscape may see fewer entry-level jobs, more AI and robotics, and increased pressure on workers to find jobs that pay a living wage—jobs that are increasingly scarce in sectors like fast food and retail.
The policy misstep by California underscores a critical lesson: economic policies that ignore real-world business constraints and industry economies can backfire, leading to job losses, rising prices, and economic migration. States contemplating similar policies should heed this cautionary tale.