In car assembly plants, for instance, workers spend their time monitoring computers and robots that do the labor, and they often fix machines by debugging computer programs rather than wielding wrenches. Thanks to computers, networks, and Internet connections, information has become a universally available commodity. Tomorrow's workers will need to know how to apply information and use it to solve problems. And, they'll use technology to determine what information is needed next. American programmers routinely send digital information to coworkers in India so that projects can continue around the clock.
American executives hold real-time videoconferences with Japanese clients.
Students communicate with scientists in other states and countries. Farmers monitor weather patterns and check global market prices on the Internet. With the aid of computers, many job tasks can be done anywhere. Workers will have more flexibility to balance home and work demands, and employers will save on overhead costs. Between 1991 and 1997, the percentage of workers with flexible schedules increased 85 percent, thanks to new technologies such as e-mail, faxes, videoconferencing, and easy Internet access.