WASHINGTON – Martin Ford saw it everywhere, even in his own business.

Smarter machines and better software were helping companies do more work with fewer people. His Silicon Valley software firm used to put its programs on discs and ship them to customers. The discs were made, packaged and delivered by human beings. Now Ford’s customers can just download the software to their computers – no discs, no packaging, no delivery workers.

“It is getting easier and easier to avoid hiring people by taking advantage of technology,” Ford says.