automation

They worried companies would pass on the extra labor costs to customers through higher product prices, and would try to save money by laying off staff, slashing employee hours and replacing workers with automation.

The effort benefited in large part from the rise of computers and automation, allowing machines to complete tasks once performed by human clerks.

Esparza also secured financial benefits on his own, including at least $48,000 in consulting payments from a businessman looking to pitch home automation products to downtown high-rise developers.

AI is particularly controversial in Hollywood, where entertainment industry unions have fought hard for protections against digital automation that could kill jobs.

Rio won’t disclose what it has spent in total on its Pilbara automation journey to date, but observers put it at multiple billions of dollars.