[ti:Robots Could Take Jobs from Africans, Researchers Warn] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:00.04]It could soon cost less to operate a factory of robots in the United States [00:07.70]than to employ a human worker in Africa. [00:12.56]That is the finding of a report from a London-based research organization. [00:19.84]The report warns that automation could have a bad effect on developing economies. [00:28.40]It says to avoid that governments must invest in digitalization and skills training. [00:37.62]Businesses traditionally have sent production work [00:42.85]to the developing world where labor is less costly. [00:48.24]But, technology may soon bring an end to that. [00:53.12]The policy research organization Overseas Development Institute [01:00.25]recently examined furniture manufacturing in Africa. [01:05.78]Karishma Banga was a lead researcher. [01:10.52]She says that in the next 15 to 20 years the use of robots [01:16.69]to make furniture will cost less than Kenyan labor. [01:22.04]By 2033, she says, it will be more profitable for American businesses [01:28.96]to return production operations to the United States. [01:34.84]Robot costs are falling about 6 percent every year, [01:40.32]but the cost of wages is rising every year. [01:45.56]Some businesses are trying to help the human workers who are competing with robots. [01:53.52]The Funkidz furniture factory in Kenya ended its traditional system of production. [02:01.08]Now, skilled workers operate automated machines that use computer-aided designs. [02:10.04]The investment is successful. There has been growth [02:14.72]and expansion into Uganda and Rwanda. [02:19.44]But the company leader Ciiru Waweru Waithaka [02:24.08]says she cannot find enough skilled workers. [02:28.92]She said, "There are many people who need jobs, yes, we agree, [02:33.92]but if they have no skills... I would love to employ you, but you need a skill, [02:39.64](or) you cannot operate our machines." [02:43.52]She also said she is urging the government to help train workers. [02:50.20]The ODI report writers are doing the same. [02:54.64]They say African governments should use the next few years [02:59.64]to build industrial and digital skills among people before it is too late. [03:07.36]I'm Susan Shand. [03:09.52]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM