【发展之道】 应对老龄化危机“黑灯工厂”大有用武之地

Core Viewpoint - Population aging is a global challenge impacting economic, social, and political domains, with significant implications for labor markets and manufacturing industries [1][2]. Group 1: Population Aging Statistics - By 2024, the population aged 65 and above in the United States is projected to reach 17% to 18%, totaling approximately 56.04 million individuals [1]. - In China, the population aged 60 and above is expected to exceed 300 million by 2024, accounting for about 22% of the total population, and is projected to surpass 400 million by 2035, entering a severe aging phase [2]. Group 2: Labor Market Implications - China's working-age population is decreasing by approximately 8 million annually, leading to labor shortages in manufacturing and labor-intensive sectors, with labor costs in these industries rising by 300% over the past decade [2]. - The concept of "black light factories," characterized by fully automated production, is emerging as a solution to labor shortages, integrating IoT, AI, and robotics to enhance manufacturing efficiency [2][3]. Group 3: Technological Advancements in Manufacturing - In a "black light factory," automation has reduced human labor density by 90% while tripling production capacity, showcasing the potential of technology to replace human labor in manufacturing [3]. - Automation technologies, such as industrial robots and AI quality inspection systems, can significantly improve production efficiency by 20% to 35% compared to human labor [3]. Group 4: Workforce Reallocation and Market Adaptation - The transition to automated factories allows for the reallocation of labor to higher-value roles, such as design and marketing, thus evolving social division of labor [4]. - The flexible production capabilities of "black light factories" can meet the fragmented demands of the aging market, enabling rapid development of customized products like smart canes and personalized hearing aids [4]. Group 5: Challenges and Collaboration Needs - The high costs of transforming to "black light factories," often reaching hundreds of millions, pose a barrier for small and medium enterprises [4]. - Global collaboration is essential to address the aging crisis, requiring the breaking down of technological barriers between countries to fully realize the benefits of "black light factories" [4].