Automation’s far-reaching implications for the workforce took center stage at the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute’s (LPPI) sixth annual policy briefing, held on January 29 at The California Endowment in Sacramento. The event convened more than 75 representatives from legislative offices, community organizations, labor unions, and UCLA students to discuss the future of work in California, with a particular focus on Latino communities disproportionately affected by automation.

“This work is about more than research—it’s about protecting the progress our communities have fought so hard for,” said Dr. Amada Armenta, LPPI faculty director and associate professor of urban planning at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. “Automation presents critical challenges for Latino workers, and we must ensure they are not left behind in conversations about the evolving labor market.”

Automation Risks for the California Workforce

The briefing opened with remarks from Assemblymember Liz Ortega, vice chair of the Latino Legislative Caucus and chair of the Labor and Employment Committee, who has led legislative hearings on automation’s impact. Her remarks were followed by a presentation of LPPI’s latest report on automation, led by senior research analysts and report co-authors Jie Zong and Misael Galdámez.

The LPPI research that was published in January 2025 highlights that nearly 4.5 million workers in California hold jobs highly vulnerable to automation. Of those, 2.3 million—more than half—are Latino, underscoring the urgent need for policies that mitigate automation-driven job displacement in Latino communities.

A panel discussion moderated by Michael Lozano, a reporter at CalMatters, further examined the challenges and opportunities presented by automation. Panelists included Dr. Jessica Grimes, executive director of the Employment Training Panel; Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Federation of Labor Unions; Dr. Jesus Martinez, executive director of the Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative; and Gary Herrera, president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. The discussion provided a platform for labor and policy leaders to explore strategies for supporting workers and ensuring equitable economic transitions in the face of technological change.

Building Future Leaders at LPPI

A key component of LPPI’s mission is to prepare future leaders in policy and advocacy. As part of the briefing, 18 UCLA student fellows participated in a robust leadership development program, engaging directly with policymakers and advocates in Sacramento.

The students attended a panel discussion with leaders from the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), where they explored how research and advocacy intersect to drive policy change. They also visited over 40 legislative offices, sharing LPPI’s research and discussing policy priorities with lawmakers and staff. The leadership experience culminated with a tour of the California State Capitol and the Assembly floor, where elected officials shared insights on the significance of representation in our government.

For Citlali Tejeda, a UCLA LPPI student fellow and co-author of the automation report, the experience was transformative.

“I was so inspired to see our hard work come to fruition in front of an audience that can truly shape California’s workforce policies,” said Tejeda. “Meeting state representatives who look like me and have faced similar challenges gave me hope that I, too, can one day be among them.”

By bridging research with policy action, LPPI’s annual Sacramento policy briefing continues to serve as a vital forum for advancing equitable labor policies and ensuring that California’s workforce remains inclusive and prepared for the future.