The Future of Productivity: Demographic Trends and Labor Shortage

"Kedrosky and Norlin believe demographic trends will ultimately lead to a drastic decline in overall productivity as industries like retail, manufacturing, and health care struggle to fill open positions. There’s some indication that those trends are, in fact, here to stay. The overall labor force participation rate is still about a percentage point lower than it was in February 2020. In a workforce the size of the U.S.’s that can equal several million workers."—A.I. came at 'perfect time' to save the economy, VC says | Fortune

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About Paul Welty

Dr. Paul J. Welty is Vice Provost for Academic Innovation at Emory University and Interim Executive Director of Emory Continuing Education. He leads large-scale initiatives integrating AI and emerging technologies to enhance learning, faculty development, and institutional strategy.

His leadership has driven groundbreaking projects including Emory's first faculty information and action system, AI-driven workforce development programs, and establishment of the Emory Center for AI Learning. Under his direction, Emory Continuing Education has launched workforce development initiatives, increased organizational productivity, and expanded access to technology-driven education.

A recognized thought leader on AI's implications for education and work, Dr. Welty regularly contributes to public discourse through research and invited presentations. Recent speaking engagements include Simuvaction 2025 (Quebec City) and the ACEN Learning Symposium keynote on "AI at Work."

Dr. Welty holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Emory University with focus in ethics and phenomenology. His career spans technology consulting, academic leadership, and entrepreneurship, consistently driving initiatives that define AI's role in organizational and educational transformation.

This blog examines the intersection of philosophy, technology, and the future of work through analysis that combines conceptual rigor with practical implementation experience.