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Future of Work

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Future of Work
Program Highlights

Future of Work

Wednesdays, Sept. 1-15, at 10 PM

Repeats Thursdays, Sept. 2-16, at 3 AM

 

As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, a new PBS series explores the accelerated pace of change in the workplace and the potential for long-term impact on workers, employers, educators and communities across our country.

FUTURE OF WORK travels to locations across the country, from New York City to Kentucky, to Stockton, Calif., and Fargo, N.D., with many more stops along the way. Each episode illuminates what it means to work, chronicling individual stories before and throughout the pandemic, documenting a range of Americans’ experiences.

The New Industrial Revolution

The New Industrial Revolution 

Wednesday, Sept. 1, at 10 PM
Repeats Thursday, Sept. 2, at 3 AM

In addition to illuminating the ongoing drivers for disruptions to the world of work—artificial intelligence, robotics, platform technology, globalization, labor practices—the pandemic has been a driver of change. Unemployment flipped from lowest in 50 years to highest in a century.

Futureproof

Futureproof 

Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 10 PM
Repeats Thursday, Sept. 9, at 3 AM

Frontline and service workers have borne the health consequences of the pandemic, increasing racial and economic disparities. Certain robotic and AI applications are accelerating as the value of human workers is further questioned.

Determining the likely areas of job growth and training needs is difficult. Post-secondary education has become more virtual and its costs, more controversial.

Changing Work, Changing Workers

Changing Work, Changing Workers

Wednesday, Sept. 15, at 10 PM
Repeats Thursday, Sept. 16, at 3 AM

Companies rethink the need to even have offices, and the traditional 40-hour work week is losing relevance. Many companies are adopting the remote work models, spawned by the pandemic, as their new normal.

Do businesses need offices? Is a 9-5 workday valid? Does the nation need a drastic rethinking of the social safety nets? Does America face a “post-work” era, or increased inequities in how we make our livings?

Future of WorkFuture of Work Preview
1:43
Published:

With U.S. unemployment sky-high, a majority of Americans are concerned about the future.