Media reports today indicate that miner Rio Tinto is 'axing up to 200 jobs' as a result of continued automation of its fleet of trucks at its Pilbara mine sites. The business says this will create a change in roles for its workers who will need reskilling.

This would be a great opportunity in Year 5 and 6 Economics and Business to discuss how technology is changing the resource 'mix'. The students can see that capital is replacing workers at the mine site and some extra labour with IT skills will be needed but at head office in Perth.

As with any 'disruptive technology' there are winners and losers in the short to medium term. A comparison could be made with Uber and taxis OR Airbnb and hotels.