The U-3 is flawed for many reasons and here is an article explaining some of them https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2012/10/16/why-jack-welch-has-a-point-about-unemployment-numbers/?sh=7708646b6554

As far as automation goes, I don't keep a treasure trove of links to articles or sources that I have gleaned info from. I can tell you that most of the companies that are automating are doing so quickly and quietly much like what Mcdonalds is doing with their drive through AI.