Lighthearted Post? I Tried. Ended Up Thinking About AI and Labor Markets Instead.

Welcome to Field Notes x Morello Mediation.

The Marketing Gurus say 2-3x a week is the sweet spot for LinkedIn posts. They also suggest I keep things positive. Create “lighthearted and relatable” yet “insightful and actionable” content.

Naturally, I failed.

I’m a few weeks behind in my news so I’m still thinking about Walmart’s earnings call and their forecast that global headcount is expected to remain flat as AI and automation change job roles. So much for lighthearted, relatable, or positive. Amazon has said similar things.

I’m wondering:

1.       Is this story less about LLMs and more about the “dark factories” of China coming to US shores?

2.       If we move to a “no hire, no fire” job market, will we see a downturn in employment claims?

On question one, I’m betting yes. The US is playing catchup in energy production and factory automation. This isn’t technological advancement, its technology catchup.

On question two, I’ll be watching court reports re new filings. My hunch is that over the next 2-3 years, we won’t see much of a slowdown in new employment claims. Disruption breeds dispute. But if the workforce does shrink, the volume of cases may as well (although the stakes of each filed case may be higher).

What I’m listening to:

·       Amanda Shires – Nobody’s Girl

·       Jason Isbell – Foxes in the Snow

More on brand for a family law mediator, but that’s what’s in rotation.