The former American president calls for accelerating measures against climate change and anticipating the consequences of automation on the world of work
«I love Spain». Barack Obama has pulled a rock star trick to provoke the first applause in the auditorium of the DES – Digital Enterprise Show, the congress that has brought him to Malaga as a star speaker. Around noon, relaxed and smiling, with these words the former American president began a long conversation in English (and without simultaneous translation, unfortunately for many attendees who paid 1,900 euros to see Obama but did not understand him) with Silvia Avilés, founder of DES.
Sitting on a chesterfield sofa, dressed in a light dark suit and a white shirt without a tie, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate reflected on the great challenges facing humanity: the war in Ukraine, the struggle between authoritarianism and democracy, climate change , the digital revolution, social inequality and the lack of opportunities for young people. Not all the dialogue has been serious: like a good ‘speaker’, Obama has sought the complicity of the public with jokes about the local culture (“I have been told that in Spain not everyone sleeps siesta; I don’t know if it is true”) and small personal confessions: «Michelle comes to Spain more than I do; she comes sometimes without telling me and she spends her time drinking a lot of wine and sunbathing».
These are some of the reflections grouped by themes that the former president of the United States has made at DES – Digital Enterprise Show.
war in europe
“The new generations took peace for granted, but Ukraine has woken us up”
The present rules and the war in Ukraine has not been slow to come to the fore. Obama has not been beating around the bush. “What Russia is doing is a threat to the democratic order,” he stated in his most political statement.
“I am old enough to remember the Berlin Wall and the Cold War. And my father lived through World War II. Perhaps the new generations took peace and prosperity for granted, but Ukraine has awakened us»
“What Putin is doing with his authoritarian regime, ignoring the law, is connected to some existing authoritarian tendencies in our societies, related to the extreme right. It is important that we look at ourselves and ask ourselves: are we doing all that we should do to defend democracy from authoritarianism in our countries?
«To win this battle of ideas between democracy and authoritarianism we have to make an inclusive capitalism that reduces inequalities»
“We have to work so that we can all affirm our own culture without attacking others. People need to feel that they belong to something but that feeling has to be healthy and not create enemies.
Environment
«The migratory crisis that we are seeing in the world has been triggered by climate change»
“There is strong evidence that the migration crisis we are seeing in the world has been triggered by climate change. People may have no choice but to leave their land.”
“We have to bet on clean energy, what’s more, governments have to promote incentives for the energy transition of companies. Technology can help us on this path. A factory today can save 10, 15 or 20% of its energy costs with the help of artificial intelligence. There are great opportunities for entrepreneurs in the fight against climate change.
Digitization and work
“There is no denying that automation is going to replace jobs; adjustments will have to be made”
“I think there is no doubt that automation is going to reduce the number of jobs dedicated to repetitive tasks. Computers will do the jobs that don’t require adaptation or imagination.”
“The change fully affects transport. Autonomous cars are already here. Psychologically, it’s hard not to see anyone in the driver’s seat. I was in a company that manufactures them. I sat in the car and the secret service was very nervous. 10% of the workforce in the US, and I suppose it will be the same in Spain, works as a driver: taxi drivers, delivery men, bus drivers. All those jobs will disappear.
“You can’t deny that automation is going to replace jobs. Other new jobs will be created, but they won’t all be in technology. We will have to reimagine. Perhaps higher salaries will have to be paid for tasks that cannot be automated, for example teaching. You can have ‘online’ classes but it will always take a teacher to put a hand on a student’s shoulder and tell him that everything will be fine. Or jobs related to care. Or creative works. machines can’t do those jobs.”
“Adjustments will have to be made. Maybe work 35 hours instead of 40. Tax policy will have to change. The transition to this new scenario is going to be quick and if you don’t adapt, you’re going to see people scared of losing their jobs. I don’t think we’re realizing how fast these changes are coming.”
Entrepreneurial spirit
“A great benefit of the USA is that we have attracted a lot of people with that spirit of ‘Come and try it’”
“I know that many places want to have their Silicon Valley. In the US we not only have Silicon Valley; also in Boston or Texas there are very dynamic areas. And they have several things in common: very powerful research universities; the existence of ‘venture capital’ and a system that allows money to go to new risky but innovative ideas; the availability of qualified labor, so that if a company grows it has the possibility of hiring people quickly. And the last leg: the culture of risk. A great benefit of the USA is that we have attracted a lot of people with that ‘Come and try it’ spirit. Risk must be rewarded and no one is ruined by failure. It’s important to allow second chances.”
Youth
“The most important thing we can do is encourage the next generation to take the lead”
“Before we left the White House, I asked Michelle what we could do to continue contributing. We both care about the climate, economic justice, inequality… But one thing I’ve learned and she also agrees with is that the most important thing we can do is encourage the next generation to take the lead.”
“All over the world there are incredible young people who are making a difference. Educating children in poor communities, promoting clean energy, helping to resolve racial or religious conflicts… The problem is that they do not have enough support. What we want is to promote and connect young leaders and tell them: we are here to support you. Because many problems are not going to be solved in our lifetime. If you talk about climate change, peace in the Middle East or nuclear weapons, eight years is nothing. Our job now is that there are people who continue to support our efforts.
»When you meet young people they make you feel more confident about the future. They are better educated generations, more innovative, more idealistic, more comfortable with diversity. If you run a company you have to worry about who will come next, mentor them, help them, inspire them.”
Spain
“I feel at home”
Oh, Spain. Michelle comes more times than I do. She comes without me, she drinks a lot of wine, she sunbathes… I want to come back soon and longer »
«In Spain I feel at home because it is a warm country. I always feel the warmth of the people and the hospitality»
«Retiring in Spain? I was born in Hawaii, it is very good there too…»
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