Are Americans safe from the coming robot workforce? Every day, robotic engineers are working on new, innovative designs to make the workplace safer and more efficient. Despite this benefit, many people are wondering whether they’ll lose their jobs to machines and what impact robots will have on their lives.
Although, they have no emotional capacity — leaving them at a disadvantage — robots can perform work precisely, safely and efficiently. According to a report issued by ManpowerGroup, called The Skills Revolution, robotic innovations will increase automation and take over many menial jobs, but the technology will also create new roles. However, according to the report, the nation’s workforce must upskill to take on these emerging roles. As this scenario unfolds, professionals with the foresight to learn new skills will grow increasingly valuable in the workplace. Conversely, those who don’t invest in themselves and prepare for the future will get left behind, an outcome that’s bad for workers and businesses that’s likely to increase the growing financial divide.
The following segments explore four ways that robots might revolutionize jobs.
1. Robotics Are Impacting Healthcare Procedures
Robots are helping to alleviate the healthcare tech crunch. As the technology matures, it’s growing more cost-effective, accessible and beneficial. As a result, many healthcare organizations are experimenting with robots in caregiving settings. Some institutions, for example, are deploying robots to check patient vital signs and monitor health conditions. In other scenarios, surgeons are using remote-controlled robots to conduct procedures, while other medical professionals are using remote control devices to assist patients at home.
2. Creativity Won’t Be Replaced by Robots
While the level of concern varies among different kinds of workers, one thing’s for sure, emotionless machines cannot be creative. Jobs that require creativity, innovation and a human touch are safe, for the most part, from automation. This may include fields such as marketing, writing, and humanities, where a digital mind is no match for human beings.
The ManpowerGroup foresees an automated world, where creativity, emotional intelligence and cognitive flexibility are augmented with mechanical assistance. Furthermore, report the employment experts, robots are unlikely to completely replace jobs, but will most likely only complement activities required to complete certain tasks.
3. Automation Will Expand With the Help of Robots
It’s certain that robots will one day replace many routine tasks and jobs, causing a disruptive change in the employment landscape. In fact, experts predict that the next pending wave of robotic technology will be especially revolutionary. Sooner or later, robotic technologies will perform many tasks that were once an exclusive purview of humans.
Already, media coverage has expanded rapidly as enterprises work hastily to develop self-driving technologies. Fortunately for society, this technology will enrich the world and boost the economy. However, some skeptics caution that, for some, robotic technology will increase the global income gap.
4. Robots Can Save Lives
As climate change increasingly impacts the environment, natural disasters are growing more common, destructive and difficult to manage. Resultingly, engineers are developing ways to use robots for disaster relief, and government agencies around the world are using them to save lives during emergencies.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) predicts that robots will replace humans in harmful and dangerous settings, helping officials stabilize and combat natural disasters, as well as create more efficiency and safety in emergency management. Experts forecast that by 2019, the market for consumer and commercial robotics will expand to $1.5 billion.
5. Your Teaching Job Will Be Secure and Rewarding With Robots
Today, technology experts, politicians and educators are participating in debates like the early 90s globalization talks. Empathy, compassion and caring are essential characteristics required to teach effectively. Because of this, experts believe that robots will never fully replace human educators. Still, they can use robotic technology to reduce stress, organize and tackle tasks, and it should also help teachers spend more time doing what they love — interacting with students, dedicating their time and making meaningful connections.
Robotics technology is positioned to transform the job market for the better and improve the quality-of-life for many in society. Soon, we’ll see how the robot revolution will help civilization. As for the immediate future, it appears that most individuals are safe from workforce automation. Inevitably, however, people will adapt, and robots will slowly take over mundane tasks and chores, making life better for everyone. Interestingly, the ManpowerGroup report reveals that 65-percent of the jobs that will be performed by the next generation don’t exist yet, making it important for future workers to stay in tune with what’s happening in the job market and keep their skills updated to remain an invaluable asset to employers.
