The Rise of Robotic Process Automation in Chile: Technological Adoption, Perceptions, and Potential Social Impact in a Post-COVID Economy

Francisco Rios, Camilo Peña () and Pablo Agnese
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Francisco Rios: UIC Barcelona

No 18314, IZA Discussion Papers from IZA Network @ LISER

Abstract: This paper reviews RPA adoption in Chile and estimates its future social impact. A survey of 103 professionals—mainly from services, mining, and engineering—shows most firms have not begun implementing RPA. Early adopters prioritize strategic alignment, tech readiness, and scalability, citing benefits such as productivity and efficiency, but also challenges like skills gaps, maintenance, and job-loss concerns. Large companies in IT, mining, and services lead post-Covid adoption. Using data from 1.5M firms, the study estimates that full RPA deployment in purchasing could displace up to 75,000 jobs, with a social cost of USD 1B, largely affecting services, commerce, healthcare, the public sector, and engineering. The Metropolitan Region would be most impacted, potentially losing over 45,000 jobs. The findings show how developing economies can adopt advanced technologies while managing social impacts.

Keywords: perceptions social impact; adoption; robotic process automation; Chile; Post COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L86 M15 O32 O33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-12
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