Barack Obama says Democrats need to get smarter about tech taking jobs – Recode
Barack Obama is taking a quick vacation after leaving office Friday. But before he handed over the keys to the Oval Office, he urged his fellow Democrats to pay attention to job automation.
For his last interview as president, Obama sat down Wednesday with Pod Save America, a podcast hosted by four of his former aides: Jon Favreau, Dan Pfeiffer, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor. He told them that he expects advancements like driverless Uber will be followed by job automation in office buildings across the country.
We, I think, probably have to be more creative about anticipating about whats coming down the pike, Obama said. Automation is relentless and its going to accelerate.
You saw just what happened to retail stores, sales this past Christmas, he added. Amazon and online sales is killing traditional retail, and whats true there is going to be true throughout our economy.
The former president said politicians on the left need to listen to the real economic fears of Trump voters and be a little bolder in how they try to solve those problems. He wondered if the solution might be a job-sharing economy so that everybody has work, because it turns out that work is not just about finances, but its about dignity and feeling like youve got a place in the world.
Heres the full audio of the podcast interview. Below that is a transcript of Obamas remarks about tech.
We all want free and fair trade, and you can argue about negotiations with China, or taking a tougher stance with Mexico, or what have you, but the fact is and the data just shows this the jobs that are going away are primarily going away because of automation. And thats going to accelerate. Driverless Uber and the equivalent displacement thats going to take place in office buildings across the country is going to be scary for folks. Which means were going to have to start thinking about where the jobs come from, and how much government involvement is there in the marketplace, and do we have a job-sharing economy so that everybody has work, because it turns out that work is not just about finances, but its about dignity and feeling like youve got a place in the world? How do you pay for that? If more and more people are working in the service sector, how do we make sure that theyre getting paid enough? In addition to making an argument that, If you want a better deal, then you better start unionizing and organizing, cause otherwise youre going to get screwed, in addition to making the argument that if youre in the service sector right now, you should be fighting for a higher minimum wage cause across the board, everybody in the service sector is going to be better off ... In addition to those traditional arguments, we, I think, probably have to be more creative about anticipating about whats coming down the pike. Automation is relentless and its going to accelerate. You saw just what happened to retail stores, sales this past Christmas. Amazon and online sales is killing traditional retail, and whats true there is going to be true throughout our economy.
Visit link:
Barack Obama says Democrats need to get smarter about tech taking jobs - Recode
- Don Jr.: "Affirmative Action" is why Obama won Nobel, not Trump - CNN - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- A former Obama speechwriter learned to surf with his Joe Rogan-loving brother-in-law. Heres what happened next. - Inquirer.com - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- The key difference between Obama and Trump on immigration - Orange County Register - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama shares 4 words her mom said at the end of her life that stuck with her - NPR - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Discusses Parental Pain After Malia Changes Her Last Name to Push Away From Her Parents - Yahoo - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Emotionally Shares Impact of 3 Words from Her Dying Mother - MSN - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Reveals the Four Dying Words from Her Mother That Changed the Way She Lives Her Life - parade.com - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama reveals why shes rarely seen with Barack - Yahoo - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- See the photos of Barack Obama School for Social Justice graduation ceremony - Lohud - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Viral video: Michelle Obama tears up while remembering her mother, reveals her take on death | Watch - Mint - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama says Barack Obama divorce rumor reactions are like 'the apocalypse' - USA Today - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- This week in whoppers: Former aide's 'anti-war' Obama fantasy, Nina Turner's ignorance on Iran's abuse of women and more - New York Post - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Obama and Biden sent American taxpayers' money to Iran...: White House reveals - WION - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Trump Jr Says Obama Getting Nobel Prize Over Father Is 'Affirmative Action' - Newsweek - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Gets Emotional Talking About the 3 Powerful Words Her Mom Said While Dying - People.com - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Ex-Obama aide says its insane to think Cuomo is best choice for New York mayor as it happened - The Guardian - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- We are 60: Michelle on divorce rumors, explains why she's rarely seen with Barack Obama - Times of India - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Ex-Obama aide: Insane to think Cuomo better than democratic socialist - The Hill - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama addresses divorce rumors and why shes rarely seen with Barack: Were 60, yall - New York Post - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Democrats are more likely than Republicans to support naming public places after Obama, Harvey Milk, and Malcolm X - YouGov - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Trump Jr. says Barack Obama getting Nobel Peace Prize over his father is affirmative action - TheGrio - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama addresses rumors of the end of our marriage - The Hill - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama reacts to divorce rumours: Were 60, yall! - The Indian Express - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama mocks rumors that her marriage is in trouble - Fox News - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Addresses Divorce Rumors and Why Shes Rarely Seen with Husband Barack - instyle.com - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama addresses the Barack Obama divorce rumors with humor - HOLA - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Megyn Kelly parodies Michelle Obama as she hits out at former first lady for 'never having a positive word to say' - Daily Mail - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Explains Her Rare Public Outings With Barack - The Daily Beast - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama says Barack Obama divorce rumor reactions are like 'the apocalypse' - MSN - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama reveals why shes rarely seen with Barack - The Telegraph - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Just Revealed Why She's Glad She Didn't Have Boys, And Her Reason Makes Sooo Much Sense - BuzzFeed - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama addresses lack of public appearances with husband Barack following divorce rumors - The Independent - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Obama CBA Coalition adds the $9B Illinois quantum park to its fight for environmental and housing justice - The TRiiBE - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama says a line her mom used to repeat about parenting always stuck with her - Business Insider - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Rewind: Did Trump claim in 2011 that Obama would start war with Iran to get elected? - Snopes.com - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Obama will start a war with Iran to win re-election: Amid US strikes on Tehran, Donald Trumps old twe - Times of India - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Did Netanyahu coerce Trump into attacking Iran? No but he tried with Obama - The Forward - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Why Michelle Obama Is "So Glad" She Didn't Have a Son With Husband Barack Obama - Marie Claire - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Froma Harrop: Barack Obama speaks, and it's the truth - Grand Forks Herald - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama: Im glad I dont have a son he would have turned out like my husband - The Telegraph - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- How does an Obama speechwriter befriend a Joe Rogan fan? Via surfing - The Guardian - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Jokes She's 'Glad' She Never Had a Boy Because He 'Would've Been a Barack': 'Would've Felt for Him' - People.com - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Why Michelle Obama Didn't Want to Have A Boy With Husband Barack - parade.com - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Why Michelle Obama Is Glad She Didnt Have a Son With Husband Barack Obama - E! Online - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama says she's 'so glad' she never had a son, says he 'would have been a Barack Obama' - Fox News - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Spotted On Rare Trip With Daughters Malia and Sasha - parade.com - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Why Is a Former Obama Official Attacking the Left on Climate? - The American Prospect - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Barack Obama warns that US is dangerously close to becoming an autocracy - The Independent - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama says she is 'glad' she never had a son because he would have turned out like Obama - as marriage rumours refuse to go away - Daily Mail - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama says she's thankful she didn't have a son because he would have been like Barack Obama: Are the problems back? - MARCA - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama is so glad she never had a son as she feared he would have turned out like her husband - Yahoo - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama: Im glad I never had a son one Barack is enough - The Times - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama is so glad she didnt have a son: He would have been a Barack Obama - TheGrio - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama is glad she and Barack never had a son: 'I would've felt for him' - Christian Post - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama shares the part of living in DC she could do without - FOX 5 DC - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama on being glad she didnt have a son: He wouldve been a Barack Obama - The Hill - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Did Obama deport more people than Trump? What to know as Trump calls for more ICE arrests - USA Today - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- OutKick founder Clay Travis: Trump has replaced Obama as the 'most consequential politician of the 21st century' - Fox News - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Obama Breaks Silence to Troll Trump About His Crowd Sizes - The Daily Beast - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Barack Obama warns the U.S. is dangerously close to slipping into autocracy under Trump - MSNBC News - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Hear former President Obama's warning about direction of the US - CNN - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Obama warns the U.S. is 'dangerously close' to slipping into an autocracy - MSNBC News - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama So Glad Not to Have Son Whod Have Been a Baby Barack - The Daily Beast - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Obama Takes a Swipe at Trump Without Mentioning Him by Name - Newsweek - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama says she is glad to not have a son. Heres why - The Economic Times - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- NBA's Masai Ujiri teams with President Obama to bring basketball to African youth - NBC New York - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Was Vilified by the Right. Then Came MAHA. - Politico - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama says she's glad she didn't have a son: 'He'd have been a Barack Obama' - Times of India - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama on being glad she didnt have a son: He wouldve been a Barack Obama - MSN - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Obama on DACA anniversary: Dreamers are being demonized and treated as enemies - The Hill - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Trump Mobile copying Obama's phone strategy? Here's how the two plans are different - Hindustan Times - Hindustan Times - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Obama seems to swipe at Trump immigration crackdown, saying migrants 'treated as enemies' - Fox News - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Listen to Obama: We Need a Nuclear-free Middle East. And That Includes Israel - Haaretz - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- MSNBC Analyst, a Former Obama Official, Calls Iran 'Most Western Nation' in the Middle East - freebeacon.com - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Opinion | Obama Isnt Going to Save You - The New York Times - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Trump accuses Obama of wanting war with Iran in resurfaced clip - The Independent - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Deportation by the numbers: Comparing Trump, Biden, and Obama's immigration tactics - USA Today - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama says Barack has always been there in sweet Fathers Day 2025 post after squashing divorce rumors - Page Six - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Trump slams Obama, Trudeau for pushing Russia out of G8 summit years ago: 'Wouldn't have a war' - Fox News - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama jokes she's glad she didnt have a son: Hed be a Barack - The Express Tribune - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]