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Robots, Tools, and Jobs: Evidence from Brazilian Labor Markets

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Abstract

What is the effect of robots and tools on employment and inequality? Using natural language processing and an instrumental variable approach, we discover that robots have led to a sizable decrease in the employment and wages of low-skill workers in operational occupations. However, tools — machines that complement labor — have led to an equally large reinstatement of these workers, increasing their employment and wages. Using a quantitative model, we find that the lower prices of robots and tools over the last 20 years have reduced inequality and increased welfare without a significant effect on employment.

Suggested Citation

  • Gustavo de Souza & Haishi Li, 2023. "Robots, Tools, and Jobs: Evidence from Brazilian Labor Markets," Working Paper Series WP 2023-42, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedhwp:97522
    DOI: 10.21033/wp-2023-42
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. Daron Acemoglu & Claire Lelarge & Pascual Restrepo, 2020. "Competing with Robots: Firm-Level Evidence from France," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 110, pages 383-388, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Daisuke ADACHI, 2024. "Robots and Wage Polarization: The effects of robot capital by occupation," Discussion papers 24066, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    2. Gustavo de Souza, 2025. "Artificial Intelligence in the Office and the Factory: Evidence from Administrative Software Registry Data," Working Paper Series WP 2025-11, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
    3. Adachi, Daisuke, 2025. "Elasticity of substitution between robots and workers: Theory and evidence from Japanese robot price data," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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